State

State Representative, 2nd District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Michigan laws and the state budget on behalf of the district.

Covers part of Wayne County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Joanna Whaley

Democratic

Hospital spiritual care provider (chaplain)

The gist

Supports fair wages, bargaining rights and job training
Supports lower utility bills and consumer protections
Supports medical debt relief and oversight of insurance denials
Supports abortion rights and reproductive health access
Supports community policing and gun violence reduction strategies
Supports equal access to work, housing and public spaces

More about Joanna

View sources (1)

Supports fair wages, bargaining rights and job training
Joanna Whaley for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Joanna Whaley · joannawhaley.com
“Fair wages and the right to negotiate pay”
Supports lower utility bills and consumer protections
Joanna Whaley for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Joanna Whaley · joannawhaley.com
“Lower utility bills and fair treatment of consumers”
Supports medical debt relief and oversight of insurance denials
Joanna Whaley for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Joanna Whaley · joannawhaley.com
“Stronger oversight to prevent insurance companies from denying or delaying coverage”
Supports abortion rights and reproductive health access
Joanna Whaley for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Joanna Whaley · joannawhaley.com
“Reproductive rights and access to the care individuals need”
Supports community policing and gun violence reduction strategies
Joanna Whaley for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Joanna Whaley · joannawhaley.com
“Community policing programs that build trust between residents and officers”
Supports equal access to work, housing and public spaces
Joanna Whaley for State Representative
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Joanna Whaley · joannawhaley.com
“Equal access to work, school, housing, and public spaces”

Ron Kokinda

Republican

Small business owner

The gist

Opposes green energy mandates; supports nuclear energy
Supports phonics-based reading instruction and skilled-trades classes
Supports border security and funded addiction treatment
Opposes abortion
Supports property-tax relief for longtime homeowners
Opposes tax breaks for data centers; wants local control

More about Ron

View sources (1)

Opposes green energy mandates; supports nuclear energy
Issues — Ron Kokinda for State Rep
Campaign website · Ron Kokinda for State Rep · kokindaformi.com
“End the green mandates driving up costs and driving out employers”
Supports phonics-based reading instruction and skilled-trades classes
Issues — Ron Kokinda for State Rep
Campaign website · Ron Kokinda for State Rep · kokindaformi.com
“Teach reading with phonics and proven methods, not fads”
Supports border security and funded addiction treatment
Issues — Ron Kokinda for State Rep
Campaign website · Ron Kokinda for State Rep · kokindaformi.com
“Fund real treatment and recovery for the families this crisis has hit”
Opposes abortion
Issues — Ron Kokinda for State Rep
Campaign website · Ron Kokinda for State Rep · kokindaformi.com
“Protect the vulnerable - the unborn, the elderly, and the disabled”
Supports property-tax relief for longtime homeowners
Issues — Ron Kokinda for State Rep
Campaign website · Ron Kokinda for State Rep · kokindaformi.com
“Real property-tax relief so families aren't taxed out of the houses they've held for decades”
Opposes tax breaks for data centers; wants local control
Issues — Ron Kokinda for State Rep
Campaign website · Ron Kokinda for State Rep · kokindaformi.com
“No tax breaks. No handouts to trillion-dollar tech companies while you pick up the tab.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.