You Can’t Look Away From This Democratic Primary Race

The whole world is watching the Democrat primary in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race. Politico calls it a “three-car pileup.”

But the Democrat primary that Michigan should be watching—with popcorn in hand—is the Downriver race for Michigan’s 2nd House District.

In the blue corner, representing the traditional Democrat, is Frank Liberati. Frank is a former state rep trying to win the seat now held by his brother, Tullio.

Ron Kokinda ran against Tullio in 2024 and lost 52-42. Kokinda would rather have won, but says he was proud to shrink Tullio’s victory margin—Tullio beat Republican Michael D’Onofrio by 61-39 in 2022.

Kokinda believes he can do better this time around, with no incumbent in the race.

“Not every candidate can do that,” Kokinda told the Enjoyer.

Kokinda’s plan includes re-industrializing Michigan, increased use of reliable energy (as opposed to “green energy,” which may or may not work on a given day), and property tax cuts.

Frank Liberati would be his toughest opponent, Kokinda says.

In the pink corner is Joanna Whaley. Whaley is a man who identifies as a woman and insists the world join in that delusion.

Whaley will use the name Joanna on the ballot, and not his male birth name. Frank Liberati called foul this spring and tried to get Whaley removed for the ballot for not using his real name.

Curtis Hertel, boss of the Michigan Democrat Party, sided with Whaley and said that “attempts to disqualify candidates for using their legal name betrays the foundational principles of the Democratic Party.”

Whaley has called the name game “petty politics” and claims to be the only candidate actually focused on the issues.

“People are done with petty politics,” Whaley told Michigan Advance. “They’re done with it. They want people who can get things done and get things done that they want.”

If Whaley is the Democrat nominee, Kokinda believes that would make District 2 “the most exciting race in the area.”

“I think a lot of blue-collar Democrats in this area would come over to the Republican side, would vote for me,” if Whaley were the nominee, Kokinda told Enjoyer.

In the white corner is Gary Schrack, a city councilman in Allen Park. Schrack has kept a low profile on the name debate between Whaley and Liberati, but has a troubled past of his own.

In Oct. 2023, Schrack apologized after he was caught on camera stealing and vandalizing a rival’s campaign signs. He did this in an Allen Park City Council race and was charged with larceny and destruction of property. Local politics can be vicious.

Kokinda does have a primary opponent, Zacharia Ortiz.

Ortiz once recruited clients to a mortgage fraud ring, for which the ringleader, Keith Sandoval, was sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. Sandoval defrauded people of more than $900,000 before the scheme fell apart.

In 2016, Ortiz was stripped of his mortgage broker’s license, having pleaded guilty in Wayne County Circuit Court of “conducting a criminal enterprise.”

District 2 is the only House seat Downriver that’s held by a Democrat.

Kokinda is buoyed by his wife, Susan Kokinda, a conservative influencer with a nationwide following.

Between a Democrat slate that can’t stop playing name games, and a Republican challenger whose past will haunt him, Kokinda is by far the most normal candidate in the race.

In a field full of characters, slow and steady could win this race.