Transgender candidate Joanna Whaley victorious in Michigan Democratic primary

Joanna Whaley just moved one step closer to becoming Michigan’s first out transgender lawmaker.

Whaley on Tuesday won the Democratic Primary in Michigan state House District 2, taking 56 percent of the vote to Frank Liberati’s 34 percent and Gary Schlack’s 9 percent. She will now face Republican nominee Ron Kokinda in the November general election.

Nearly 6,500 voters supported Whaley in the primary, while Liberati received about 3,900 votes and Schlack received roughly 1,000.

“Thank you to Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Melvindale and Southgate, MI for choosing me as your nominee for the Democratic ticket in November!!” Whaley posted on Facebook following her win. “To all the volunteers and supporters let’s take this energy into the general election and bring focused leadership to our community.”

Related: Michigan Dem claims trans primary opponent violated law by not running under deadname

The victory came after a primary in which Whaley confronted transphobia even among Democrats. Liberati, a former state House representative, filed a complaint with the Wayne County Clerk’s Office challenging Whaley’s eligibility to use her legal name on the ballot. Ultimately, officials said the challenge was unfounded because Whaley had successfully petitioned for a legal name change, although the court records were sealed. Liberati had based his challenge on a prior petition that lapsed, according to the Michigan Advance.

House District 2 is currently represented by Tullio Liberati, Frank Liberati’s brother. Whaley was one of two transgender candidates running for a Michigan state House seat this year. The other, Toni Mua, lost the Democratic primary in state House District 9.

Whaley now appears favored to win in November after securing the Democratic nomination in the reliably blue district.

The hospital chaplain has focused on pocketbook issues in her campaign, while also discussing how her experiences as a transgender woman have shaped her perspective on economic hardship.

“I’ve experienced financial hardship firsthand. Coming out as transgender meant rebuilding my life and career,” she wrote on her official campaign webpage. “My Christian faith, family, and community supported me as I went back to college and became a spiritual care provider.”

She has also stressed that she plans to remain accessible to constituents from all walks of life.

“As a transgender woman running to represent every member of our district regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs, I deeply know the value of freedom and the value of protecting our freedoms,” she said.

That includes the right to free speech, “even speech I disagree with.” Whaley has also called for equal access to jobs, education and housing, all arenas where LGBTQ+ people have faced discrimination.