Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Esther Whitmer (born August 23, 1971) is an American politician who is the 49th and current Governor of Michigan. She won the 2018 gubernatorial election.[1]
Gretchen Whitmer | |
|---|---|
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| 49th Governor of Michigan | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Lieutenant | Garlin Gilchrist |
| Preceded by | Rick Snyder |
| Prosecutor of Ingham County | |
| In office July 2, 2016 – December 31, 2016 | |
| Preceded by | Stuart Dunnings III |
| Succeeded by | Carol Siemon |
| Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – January 1, 2015 | |
| Deputy | Steve Bieda |
| Preceded by | Mike Prusi |
| Succeeded by | Jim Ananich |
| Member of the Michigan Senate from the 23rd district | |
| In office March 21, 2006 – January 1, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Virg Bernero |
| Succeeded by | Curtis Hertel Jr. |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives | |
| In office January 1, 2001 – March 16, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Laura Baird |
| Succeeded by | Mark Meadows |
| Constituency | 70th district (2001–2003) 69th district (2003–2006) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gretchen Esther Whitmer August 23, 1971 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Gary Shrewsbury (divorced) Marc Mallory (m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 (3 stepchildren) |
| Education | Michigan State University (BA, JD) |
| Website | Government website |
Whitmer is a former Democratic member of the Michigan Senate and Senate Democratic Leader. Whitmer was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006.[2][3]
On January 3, 2017, Whitmer announced her plans to run for governor, making her among the first to announce.[4] On August 7, 2018, she became the Democratic nominee in the 2018 gubernatorial election. She won the general election on November 6, 2018.
In 2020, she delivered the Democrats' response to President Trump's 2020 State of the Union Address.
Whitmer was considered as a choice for running mate for Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee for president, in his 2020 campaign for president.[5]
Political career
Michigan Legislature
Michigan House of Representatives
Whitmer began her political career in 2001, when she was inaugurated to the Michigan House of Representatives. She served there until March 16, 2006. Five days later, she joined the Michigan Senate.
Michigan Senate
Whitmer was inaugurated to the Michigan Senate on March 21, 2006, five days after leaving the Michigan House. She would continue serving through 2014. She spent the last four years in the Michigan Senate as Minority Leader.
Ingham County Prosecutor
After the resignation of Stuart Dunnings III as the result of a scandal, Whitmer was unanimously chosen as his successor in the position of Prosecutor of Ingham County. She served their through the second half of 2016.
Governor of Michigan
She was elected governor in 2018. She described herself as progressive, and has worked with progressive leaders in Michigan as governor.
On October 8, 2020, the FBI arrested 13 people for attempting to kidnap her and overthrow the state government. The suspects were tied to a far-right militia group called the Wolverine Watchmen.[6]
Personal life
Whitmer married Gary Shrewsbery, with whom she had two children, before their divorce. In 2011, she married dentist Marc Mallory, who had 3 sons in his previous marriage. The family currenty lives in East Lansing.
Early life
Gretchen Esther Whitmer was born on August 23, 1971, in Lansing, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan.
Gretchen Whitmer Media
Whitmer speaking at a National Guard ceremony, January 2019
Whitmer at a naturalization ceremony in Detroit, November 2019
Whitmer and President Joe Biden tour a Pfizer manufacturing plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan, February 2021
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References
- ↑ Marans, Daniel (2018-08-08). "Gretchen Whitmer Wins Democratic Nomination For Governor Of Michigan" (in en-US). Huffington Post. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gretchen-whitmer-michigan-gubernatorial-primary_us_5b6a0f1ee4b0fd5c73de95ee. Retrieved 2018-08-09.
- ↑ Michigan Legislative Service Bureau (2006). Michigan Manual 2005-2006. Lansing: Legislative Council, State of Michigan. p. 129. ISBN 1-878210-06-8. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ↑ Michigan Senate Democrats (2007). "Michigan Senate Democrats: About Gretchen Whitmer". Archived from the original on February 5, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2007.
- ↑ Whitmer, Gretchen (January 3, 2017). "I'm ready—are you?". Medium. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
- ↑ Burns, Alexander (2020-07-27). "Joe Biden's Vice-Presidential Pick: Who's in the Running?" (in en-US). The New York Times. . https://www.nytimes.com/article/biden-vice-president-2020.html. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ↑ "Plans to kidnap Whitmer, overthrow government spoiled, officials say".
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