Michigan Man Sentenced to 10 Months for Threatening to Assassinate Gov. Whitmer

Steven Conway, 40, threatened to 'hunt down' shareholders and 'mark for assassination' the Michigan governor

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A 40-year-old Michigan man named Steven Conway was sentenced to 10 months in prison for threatening to assassinate Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Conway had called a Wisconsin energy company and threatened to 'hunt down' its shareholders, also declaring Whitmer and others were 'marked for assassination' on a dating website.

Why it matters

Threats of political violence against public officials undermine the rule of law and raise serious concerns about public safety. This case comes years after a plot to kidnap Gov. Whitmer was uncovered, highlighting the ongoing threats she and other officials face.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, in January 2025 Conway called a Wisconsin DTE Energy call center and threatened to 'hunt down' its shareholders, also declaring them a 'target for assassination.' In the following days, Conway wrote on a dating website that Gov. Whitmer, a Democrat, was among those on a list 'marked for assassination.' Conway has a prior conviction for threatening to kill a Michigan judge and police officers.

  • In January 2025, Conway called a Wisconsin energy company and made threats.
  • In the days after, Conway wrote online that Gov. Whitmer was on a 'list marked for assassination'.
  • On February 13, 2026, Conway was sentenced to 10 months in prison.

The players

Steven Conway

A 40-year-old Michigan man who was sentenced to 10 months in prison for threatening to assassinate Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Gretchen Whitmer

The Democratic governor of Michigan who was threatened by Conway.

Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.

The U.S. Attorney who announced Conway's sentencing, stating that 'threats of political violence and retribution are an attack on the rule of law.'

Jennifer Runyan

The special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, who said 'threats of violence of this nature, whether directed at public officials, private citizens, or company shareholders, are serious crimes and will be treated as such.'

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What they’re saying

“Threats of political violence and retribution are an attack on the rule of law. We will protect our public servants and the regular citizens who make our country free and prosperous.”

— Jerome F. Gorgon Jr., U.S. Attorney (people.com)

“Threats of violence of this nature, whether directed at a public officials, private citizens, or company shareholders, are serious crimes and will be treated as such. The FBI will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate, endanger, or coerce individuals through online platforms.”

— Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Detroit Field Office (people.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Steven Conway out on bail pending his 10-month prison sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing threats and political violence that public officials like Gov. Whitmer face, underscoring the need to protect democratic institutions and the rule of law from those who would seek to undermine them through intimidation and coercion.