Gretchen Whitmer

Gretchen Esther Whitmer (born August 23, 1971) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 49th governor of Michigan since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006 and in the Michigan Senate from 2006 to 2015.

Gretchen Whitmer (2021)

Quotes

2013

Over 20 years ago I was a victim of rape. And thank God it didn’t result in a pregnancy. Because I can’t imagine going through what I went through and then having to consider what to do about an unwanted pregnancy from an attacker.

• Over 20 years ago I was a victim of rape. And thank God it didn’t result in a pregnancy. Because I can’t imagine going through what I went through and then having to consider what to do about an unwanted pregnancy from an attacker.
  • "Why I spoke out about my sexual assault: Sen. Gretchen Whitmer talks to Salon". Salon. (December 23, 2013).

2016

• I'm so sorry to hear of Jeff's passing. He laid the groundwork in so many ways for the LGBTQ advocacy taking place across Michigan still today. He will be missed by many, though his legacy will live on through those he inspired throughout his life.
  • Quoted following Jeffrey Montgomery's death in July 2016, "BREAKING: Jeffrey Montgomery, Triangle Foundation Founder, Has Died". Between the Lines. July 19, 2016. Retrieved on July 19, 2016. 

2018

• When a child comes into school versus the end of the school year, how much they’ve grown is really what tells you if what we’re doing in our schools is successful.
  • Gretchen Whitmer speaks on education. "Gretchen Whitmer: Grow Michigan by offering debt-free community college" (July 18, 2018).

• I was considered the most progressive person the whole time I was in the legislature, I negotiated health care, I negotiated a minimum wage increase. I told my story of sexual assault when women's health was on the line. I wrote the Michigan 2020, which was a free college plan, before Bernie Sanders ever offered it on the national level. I am proud to be a progressive.
  • Quoted in "Why slow and steady could win Gretchen Whitmer the race for governor". Detroit Metro Times. (Jul 18, 2018).

2019

• In an era when so many women are stepping up to lead, I'm hoping people will focus on our ideas and accomplishments instead of our appearance.
  • Quoted in "Michigan governor blasts TV story about her appearance" CBC News (February 15, 2019).

• We worked hard, we got it done, we made recreational marijuana legal in the state of Michigan.
  • Quoted in "Michigan Governor Celebrates Marijuana Legalization In Video For Hash Bash Event" marijuanamoment.net (April 5, 2019).

Inaugural address

Let’s fix our roads, and be the state that’s not paralyzed by partisanship, but works together. And create the blueprint for rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure. Let’s show the rest of the country how to solve America’s literacy crisis, and show them what good government actually looks like.

• Let’s fix our roads, and be the state that’s not paralyzed by partisanship, but works together. And create the blueprint for rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure. Let’s show the rest of the country how to solve America’s literacy crisis, and show them what good government actually looks like.
  • Quoted in "5 things Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in her inaugural address". Detroit Free Press. (January 1, 2019).

• Many will question whether we can protect our families and bolster our economy by fixing those damn roads. They may not believe we have the ingenuity to solve the literacy crisis. And no doubt, some are betting against our ability to close the skills gap. But we are up to it, Michigan.
  • Quoted in "5 things Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in her inaugural address". Detroit Free Press. (January 1, 2019).

• We have always defied the odds. And we are going to do it again, together. We are going to prove that our shared future is more powerful than the issues that divide us.
  • Quoted in "5 things Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in her inaugural address". Detroit Free Press. (January 1, 2019).

• At a time when too many people want to separate us by building walls, we here in Michigan are going to get back to building bridges together. The story of the Mackinac Bridge reminds us that we can do great things when we work together.
  • Quoted in "5 things Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in her inaugural address". Detroit Free Press. (January 1, 2019).

• I’m here because, over the past year, the people of Michigan showed up. At town halls, at rallies, and in record numbers on Election Day. I am so grateful that you did. But our work is just beginning. That’s why, today, I’m asking you to keep showing up.
  • Quoted in "5 things Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in her inaugural address". Detroit Free Press. (January 1, 2019).

2020

• I think of myself as someone who is progressive but also can get stuff done... And I don’t vilify people that don’t see the world precisely the same way I do. I’m not arrogant enough to think that I’m always right.
  • Quoted in "'The Woman in Michigan' Goes National" Politico (April 9, 2020).

• Just because you’re a survivor doesn’t mean that every claim is equal, it means we give them the ability to make their case. And then to make a judgment that is informed.
  • Quoted in "Gretchen Whitmer backs Joe Biden on alleged assault: 'not every claim is equal'" The Guardian (May 3, 2020).

• We are in the worst moment of this pandemic to date. The situation has never been more dire. We are at the precipice and we need to take some action.
  • Quoted in "Michigan, Washington state impose severe COVID-19 restrictions as U.S. infections soar" Reuters (November 15, 2020).

2022

Thanks to the bipartisan auto insurance reform I signed, nearly $2.2 billion has been put back in people’s pockets and another $800 million is yet to come.

• Thanks to the bipartisan auto insurance reform I signed, nearly $2.2 billion has been put back in people’s pockets and another $800 million is yet to come... These refunds will help families pay the bills and put food on the table as we keep growing our economy, creating more good-paying jobs, and lowering costs.
  • "Whitmer Announces Billions in Auto Insurance Refunds Have Been Issued to Michiganders". Executive Office of the Governor. (May 3, 2022).

• I plan enthusiastically to serve for four years and leave the state in better shape than we are even right now, I think our future is bright. I’m excited about being at the helm
  • "Whitmer says she won't run for president: ‘I'm grateful to be right here’". Bridge Michigan. (November 16, 2022).

• I love state government because the work that we do, you can see the results, I'm close to the people that I serve, and this is where I want to be. So all the reports in the world don't change any of that. That's who I am. That's what my focus is, and I'm grateful to be right here.
  • "Whitmer says she won't run for president: ‘I'm grateful to be right here’". Bridge Michigan. (November 16, 2022).

• None of this happens in a vacuum, but those are a couple things that I think continue to be real priorities for me
  • "How Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Democrats plan to cut Michigan taxes in 2023". Bridge Michigan. (December 13, 2022).

• Democrats were fighting to solve problems but also protect our ability to make our own decisions about our bodies. These are fundamental, core issues
  • "Gretchen Whitmer says her win was a rejection of political violence". Politico. (11/13/2022).

• The ability to decide when and whether to have a child is the biggest economic decision a woman will make
  • "Gretchen Whitmer says her win was a rejection of political violence". Politico. (11/13/2022).

• They want abortion to be a felony, no exceptions for rape or incest. That's the kind of legislature that I'm working with. That's the kind of matchup I'm going to have this fall. And that's why this is such a scary moment for Michigan women and our families
  • "Transcript: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on "Face the Nation," June 26, 2022". CBS News. (June 26, 2022).

• We will always work with anyone who actually wants to solve a problem because there's nothing more important than the people of this state to us — all of the people of this state
  • "Gretchen Whitmer wins governor’s race in Michigan". PBS. (Nov 9, 2022).

• I can tell you we stayed focused on the fundamentals, right, whether it's fixing the damn roads or making sure our kids are back on track after an incredible disruption in their learning, or just simply solving problems and being honest with the people
  • "Democratic gubernatorial winners in swing states have message for national party". CNN Politics. (Sun November 13, 2022).

• A governor can't fix global inflation. But what we can do is take actions to keep more money in people's pockets, protect our right to make our own decisions about our bodies
  • "Democratic gubernatorial winners in swing states have message for national party". CNN Politics. (Sun November 13, 2022).

Quotes about her

• She's a contender, If President Biden decides not to seek reelection, do not underestimate her chances for the Democratic nomination and the White House
  • "Whitmer says she won't run for president: ‘I'm grateful to be right here’". Los Angeles Times columnist LZ Granderson wrote less than 24 hours after Whitmer's 2022 win.

• Whitmer is Pabst Blue Ribbon with just the right measure of Merlot. There will no doubt be some governor in any post-Biden mix. I don’t spot another with more potential than Whitmer.
  • "Whitmer says she won't run for president: ‘I'm grateful to be right here’". Contributing columnist Frank Bruni wrote in The New York Times.

External links

• Government website
• Campaign website