Meet the 4 anti-abortion Michigan Republicans attempting to flip the state House of Representatives

As Michigan Republicans seek to dismantle the Democratic trifecta at the state level, many of the candidates on the ballot have extensive anti-abortion records. Although Michigan codified abortion rights into state law in 2022, the law can be reversed if enough state lawmakers support the effort.

Many candidates running this cycle have been endorsed by Citizens for Traditional Values, an organization that opposes same-sex marriage, banning conversion therapy, voting rights and abortion access.

Jim DeSana – District 29

Rep. Jim DeSana (R-Carleton) is finishing his first term in the Michigan House of Representatives after narrowly getting elected in 2022 by just 1,040 votes. During his short time in Michigan’s lower chamber, DeSana co-sponsored a resolution to repeal the right to reproductive freedom in Michigan, which he is vehemently opposed to.

During a fundraiser on Jan. 18, DeSana was recorded saying he is completely against abortion, and that he believes women who seek abortions are “evil” and “demonic.”

“But they don’t want to help them. Because it’s evil. They’re evil, they’re demonic,” DeSana said about women. “I’m 100% pro-life. I have eight children. No exceptions. No exceptions.”

DeSana has also spoken in defense of Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, which went into effect after the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade. This ban was considered one of the most stringent in the country, but it was later blocked by an injunction and ruled unconstitutional by a Michigan Court of Claims judge. Michigan voters then enshrined reproductive rights into the state’s constitution in November 2022, and the 1931 abortion ban was fully repealed by the Democratic majorities in the state legislature.

DeSana also made national headlines in September for falsely saying Vice President Kamala Harris is not “authentically Black.”

Josh Powell – District 25

Republican candidate Josh Powell is seeking to flip Michigan’s District 25th District seat, which is currently held by Rep. Peter Herzberg (D-Westland). In April, Herzberg won a special election to fill District 25’s seat by defeating Powell by 2,277 votes. The pair are set for a rematch in November to determine who will serve a full term and represent over 90,000 citizens in suburbs outside of Detroit.

During a fundraising event on Feb. 12, Powell not only confirmed that he is 100% anti-abortion, but that he is also open to taking opportunities to weaken Michigan’s abortion access if they arise.

“I mean, if there’s opportunities that come up, you know, if people want to revisit, I know there’s already things under way to sign to revisit prop 3, put it back on the ballot,” Powell said in audio provided to Heartland Signal.

Rylee Linting – District 27

Republicans in Michigan see the 27th District as a viable seat to flip this cycle, as they prop up 22-year-old political newcomer Rylee Linting. The seat is currently held by incumbent Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Downriver), who won the seat in 2022 by a narrow 660 votes.

Linting has been endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan, an anti-abortion organization that asserts a candidate must be pro-life “with no exceptions other than the life of the mother” to earn their support.

Linting has also made connections with other Michigan Republicans who are election deniers, including DeSana. As of August, Churches held a significant financial advantage over Linting, according to The Detroit News.

Jamie Thompson – District 28

The 28th District is projected to be another competitive race with Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown) defending her seat against Democratic challenger Janise O’Neil Robinson. Thompson won the seat in 2022 by 735 votes.

Although Robinson was outraising Thompson by $76,000 as of late August, the district was carried by former President Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020.

Last December, Thompson co-hosted a Christmas supply drive with an anti-abortion pregnancy center. At the event, Thompson was asked if she was 100% anti-abortion without exceptions, to which she indicated “yes.”