Former Michigan legislative leader Gretchen Whitmer wins Democratic primary for governor, besting two other candidates.
Democratic Governors Association Chair Gov. Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Vice Chair Gov. Gina Raimondo (D-RI) released the following statements on Gretchen Whitmer winning the Democratic nomination for Governor of Michigan:
“Congratulations to Gretchen Whitmer on winning the Democratic nomination for governor in Michigan,” said Democratic Governors Association Chair Gov. Jay Inslee. “Michigan is one of the DGA’s top targets for pickup this cycle, and Gretchen is a terrific candidate. Gretchen Whitmer knows how to get things done to make a difference in people’s lives. She worked across the aisle to help expand Medicaid coverage to more than 680,000 Michiganders, and has concrete plans to fix Michigan’s roads and improve its education system. She’s the right person to bring change to Michigan this November.”
“Gretchen Whitmer will work every day to make sure Michiganders lives improve, and that’s why she’s going to be a great governor,” said Democratic Governors Association Vice Chair Gina Raimondo. “She’s relentless when it comes to finding a solution. Whether it’s fixing Michigan’s roads and bridges, fighting for universal preschool and debt-free community college, or cleaning up Michigan’s drinking water, Gretchen will get it done. Gretchen Whitmer is one of the great Democratic female candidates who will help make 2018 the year of the woman governor.”
Gretchen Whitmer grew up in Michigan.
She says she had a democrat for a mother and a republican for a father.
She is a mom, a former legislator, and a prosecutor. In 2016 she was the Ingham County Prosecutor and under her guidance she established a Domestic Violence Unit, sped up the rehab time for non-violent first-time offenders and asked the MSP to take a good look into the integrity of the county's evidence room.
She loves the water and the Great Lakes. She likes to fish and climb the dunes. She currently lives in East Lansing with her family.
A highlight of Gretchen's time as Senate Democratic Leader was that she negotiated with Republicans to expand Medicaid in Michigan. Her campaign has said that she got Medicaid expanded to more than $680,000 Michigan residents. She also worked with Republicans to raise the minimum wage in Michigan, which was also successful.
Whitmer has spoken out and shared her story about surviving sexual assault. She was speaking against a bill that limited women's access to health care, a bill proposed by the GOP, when she told her story on the Senate Floor.
Her focuses will be on: cleaning up Michigan's drinking water, improving education and skills training, creating more good-paying jobs, fixing the "damn" roads, protecting and expanding women's reproductive rights and making state government more open, transparent and accountable.
She has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Michigan Association for Justice, the United Auto Workers, the Michigan Education Association, Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and Senator Curtis Hertel of East Lansing. Click here for more: more endorsements
Here is a link to her website: https://www.gretchenwhitmer.com/
