Gretchen Whitmer

Gretchen Whitmer is an American politician serving as the 49th Governor of Michigan since 2019. She was a member of the Michigan Senate from 2006 to 2015 and Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006. Whitmer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has been involved in various Michigan Democratic Party events, including the Michigan Democratic Party State Convention.

● Early Life and Education

Gretchen Whitmer was born in Lansing, Michigan, to Richard Whitmer and Sharon Whitmer, and grew up in Forest Hills, Michigan. She attended Forest Hills Central High School and later enrolled at Michigan State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and later a Juris Doctor degree from Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University. During her time at Michigan State University, she was involved in various student organizations, including the Michigan State University College Democrats. Whitmer also worked as an intern for Congressman Dick Gephardt and later for Senator Debbie Stabenow.

● Career

Before entering politics, Whitmer worked as a prosecutor in the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office and later as an instructor at Michigan State University College of Law. She was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2000 and served until 2006, representing the 23rd district and working with Representative Andy Dillon and Representative Kwame Kilpatrick. Whitmer then served in the Michigan Senate from 2006 to 2015, representing the 23rd district and working with Senator Carl Levin and Senator Debbie Stabenow. During her time in the Michigan Legislature, she worked on various bills and resolutions, including the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and the Great Lakes Compact.

● Governor of Michigan

Whitmer was elected as the 49th Governor of Michigan in the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election, defeating Bill Schuette and Brian Calley. She took office on January 1, 2019, and has since worked with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and other Michigan state officials, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel. As governor, Whitmer has focused on issues such as healthcare reform, education reform, and infrastructure development, working with organizations like the Michigan Hospital Association and the Michigan Education Association. She has also been involved in various national and international events, including the National Governors Association and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers.

● Political Positions

Whitmer has taken various political positions on issues such as abortion rights, gun control, and environmental protection. She has been endorsed by organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Sierra Club, and has worked with lawmakers like Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Whitmer has also been involved in various state and national elections, including the 2020 United States presidential election and the 2020 Michigan elections. She has worked with candidates like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and has been involved in various Democratic National Committee events.

● Personal Life

Whitmer is married to Marc Mallory, a dentist, and has two daughters, Sherry Whitmer and Sydney Whitmer. She is a member of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Lansing, Michigan, and has been involved in various community organizations, including the United Way of Michigan and the Michigan Women's Commission. Whitmer has also been recognized for her work, receiving awards like the Michigan Association of School Administrators Friend of Education Award and the National Association of Social Workers Public Elected Official of the Year Award. She has also been involved in various charity events, including the American Cancer Society Relay For Life and the Michigan Humane Society Paws & Effect gala.