LANSING, Oct. 26, 2026 — Seven Democratic candidates running for the Michigan House of Representatives are speaking out together about threats against candidates and their families and what they describe as a political tactic designed to encourage harassment and intimidation by publicizing candidates’ private contact information in political advertisements.
Jaime Churches, Alex Hawkins, Jan Maino, Katrina Manetta, Lisa McIntyre, Sarah Pounds, and Joanna Whaley say they have experienced similar forms of political harassment and intimidation. In several campaigns, political advertisements and text messages have paired false and misleading claims about candidates’ records and policy positions with personal phone numbers, including those of family members in some cases, and calls for people to contact them. The candidates say the practice extends beyond their seven campaigns and reflects a broader political tactic this election cycle.
At least three of the candidates have reported serious threats against themselves or their families, including reported threats involving children. Whaley has also described a recent violent encounter. She is withholding further details while the incident remains under investigation, and the motive has not yet been established. Several candidates say safety concerns have forced them to invest in additional security or change how they conduct their campaigns.
“This is not normal political opposition. It is dangerous, and it needs to stop,” the candidates said in a joint statement. “We signed up to serve our communities, not to have our private contact information publicized to people seeking to harass and intimidate us, or to fear for our families’ safety.
“Voters have every right to question us, challenge us and disagree with us. But using political advertisements to publicize private phone numbers instead of official campaign numbers and encourage calls and messages regarding false information crosses a line. Threats against candidates and their families cross an even more serious one.
“We are calling on House Speaker Matt Hall and other Republican leaders to publicly condemn these tactics and call on campaigns and outside groups to stop publicizing candidates’ private contact information and encouraging people to use it to harass or intimidate them.
“No candidate, Republican or Democrat, should have to fear for their safety because they chose to run for office. We will not be bullied into silence.”
The candidates are not alleging Hall personally directed any threats. They are calling for public accountability and an end to conduct that puts candidates and their families at risk.
The candidates are available for interviews and can provide additional information about their individual experiences upon request.
Joint statement issued by:
- Jaime Churches | Michigan House District 27
- Alex Hawkins | Michigan House District 55
- Jan Maino | Michigan House District 46
- Katrina Manetta | Michigan House District 58
- Lisa McIntyre | Michigan House District 22
- Sarah Pounds | Michigan House District 54
- Joanna Whaley | Michigan House District 2
About Katrina Manetta
Katrina Manetta is a Democrat running for Michigan State House in the 58th District. A lifelong Macomb County resident, Manetta is a community leader and service worker running to lower costs for families, strengthen public safety, protect workers’ rights, and deliver practical solutions rooted in our community. For more information about the campaign, visit katrinamanetta.com.