Dem hopeful Shelby Campbell boasts 'I've been to jail' on campaign website, shares twerking videos

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: Shelby Campbell, who is running in the 2026 Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, has made her criminal past part of her campaign pitch while sharing videos of herself twerking for her supporters.

On her campaign website, soup4change.com, Campbell openly discusses her time behind bars and frames it as proof that she understands the struggles of working-class voters better than career politicians.

“I’m not here to pretend I’m perfect. I’m not here to smile in your face and stab you in the back later,” her bio states.

The first-time candidate describes herself as a “working-class woman” and points to her past jobs in the service and labor sectors.

“More than half of us work in service, retail, healthcare, or auto jobs. I’ve been a bartender, server, certified nursing assistant, and third-generation auto worker,” she writes.

Campbell then adds, “I’ve been to jail. I’ve been judged. And I’ve gotten back up, like so many here.”

The website even includes four prior mugshots as part of what she presents as a story of redemption and lived experience.

TikTok antics become campaign calling card for Shelby Campbell

The 32-year-old single mother has supplemented her messaging with a steady stream of social media videos featuring twerking clips, lip-syncs, political commentary, and responses to critics.

In one video, Campbell is seen twerking and crouching on a kitchen counter before declaring, “I am an ethical person. I am a classy b**ch, am I not?”

Campbell, a law student and United Auto Workers member, is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep Shri Thanedar in what is shaping up to be a crowded primary battle. Thanedar, a wealthy pharmaceutical executive turned politician, has represented the heavily Democratic district since 2021, while progressive activists have looked for challengers to unseat him.

Campbell has repeatedly described herself as the “grassroots” candidate in the race. On her ActBlue fundraising page, she pitches her campaign as “by the people, for the people.”

“Now, I’m running for Congress in Michigan’s 13th District to put working families, not corporate donors, at the center of our democracy,” Campbell said. “My campaign is about community over corporations, compassion over cruelty, and people over profit.”

Shelby Campbell's remarks about Charlie Kirk's death sparked backlash

Campbell found herself in hot water last year after comments she made following the death of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk went viral.

In one TikTok video, she referenced 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' returning to the air after host Jimmy Kimmel had briefly been suspended over remarks tied to the Turning Point USA founder's death.

“Hey, MAGA. How bad does it hurt that Jimmy Kimmel is back, but you guys can’t get your person back?” she asked.

The backlash came swiftly as critics called on Campbell to end her campaign. But instead, she doubled down.

“Yes it’s me,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s called dark humor lol.”

That was not the only controversial post she made following Kirk’s death on September 10.

In another TikTok video uploaded the day after his death, Campbell said, “I don’t think anyone deserves to be murdered in front of their wife and children, but life happens. And when you support radical ideas, and you say them out loud, and they’re evil, bad things might happen to you.”