WASHINGTON — Michigan Representative Hillary Scholten has sought to keep the details of her divorce proceedings private, as her attorney warns that public access to the documents might damage her political career and reputation.
Recently, Scholten, a Democrat from Michigan, disclosed that her husband of two decades, Jesse Holcomb, unexpectedly left their family home and initiated divorce proceedings, although she withheld further information.
The congresswoman, who is a mother of two, shared that she remains focused on raising her children and that they are navigating this challenging time together.
According to Michigan court records, reported by the Detroit Times, Holcomb filed for divorce on January 26. Shortly after, Scholten’s legal team moved to have these documents sealed to protect her privacy.
“Divorce documents often contain unproven allegations that could be damaging if made public, potentially causing immediate and lasting harm to her reputation, affecting her professional life, public image, and chances for reelection,” her lawyer explained, according to the publication.
Interestingly, Holcomb’s attorney also supported the request to keep the divorce documents confidential, agreeing that details about Scholten’s personal life might negatively impact public perception.
But ultimately, the judge overseeing the divorce proceedings rejected the effort to seal the records.
The Post contacted Scholten’s office for comment.
“The congresswoman has issued a transparent letter to her constituents about this personal matter and beyond that, she will not be discussing it further,” her chief of staff, Max Ernst, told the Detroit News, noting that she wanted to keep proceedings under wraps to protect her children.
“She is focusing her time on raising her kids and serving Michigan’s 3rd District. We ask that you respect her privacy and the privacy of her children.”
Scholten — a former social worker and immigration attorney in the Obama administration — represents Michigan’s 3rd congressional district, which encompasses the western parts of the state, including Grand Rapids.
She was elected to Congress in 2022, edging out former Republican Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) The Cook Political Report ranks her seat as solid Democrat heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Scholten is facing competition from two GOP hopefuls, including meteorologist Terri DeBoer and trial attorney J. Allen Fiorletta.
The congresswoman had publicly opened up about the emotional difficulties she’s endured going through divorce proceedings with her longtime husband.
“I have grown an extra chamber in my heart for moms and dads out there who have had to go through this,” Scholten said in a public statement earlier this month. “It goes without saying that this is a deeply personal matter.”
