A Democratic congresswoman in Michigan revealed Friday that her husband “suddenly” left their family and filed for divorce this year after two decades of marriage.
House Rep. Hillary Scholten made the personal disclosure on her X account, claiming she wanted to be “up front” with her constituents about the breakup with spouse Jesse Holcomb.
“I want to share something personal,” the mother of two wrote.
“Earlier this year, our family went through a heartbreaking change when my husband of 20 years suddenly left our family home and then filed for divorce.”
She credited family, friends and her faith for helping her raise her boys “with strength, love, and stability.”
“We have been overcoming every day,” Scholten, a Grand Rapids Dem, stated.
Court records reviewed by the Detroit News indicate that Holcomb filed for divorce on Jan. 26 in Kent County Circuit Court.
An email seeking comment from Holcomb, who is a journalism professor, was not immediately returned.
Scholten, 44, has shared numerous photos of the now-former couple on her Instagram page, including in a Christmas greeting with the entire family last December.
The official biography on her congressional page now only mentions her raising her two sons and taking care of the family dog.
The lawmaker, who is up for reelection this year, also insisted that despite the heartbreak, she’s passed legislation and is dedicated to her constituents.
Scholten also stressed she’s “grown an extra chamber in my heart for moms and dads out there who have had to go through this.”
“I honor your work and, and I am fighting for you,” she wrote.
“It goes without saying that this a deeply personal matter. But you put me in a position of trust, and I want to be up front with you about a big change in my life,” Scholten wrote.
