Life is full of challenges, and Gretchen Whitmer faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.
Gretchen Whitmer is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 49th Governor of Michigan since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, Whitmer's political career includes time in the Michigan House of Representatives (2001-2006) and the Michigan Senate (2006-2015). She is a prominent figure in Michigan politics, currently holding the state's highest office.
2012: "Right-to-Work" Law Enacted
In March 2023, Whitmer repealed the 2012 "right-to-work" Law
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2013: Shared Sexual Assault Experience
In 2013, Gretchen Whitmer gained national attention for sharing her experience of being sexually assaulted during a debate on abortion rights.
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2013: Revealed Sexual Assault Experience
In 2013, Gretchen Whitmer received national recognition when she revealed that she had been the victim of rape during her freshman year at Michigan State University.
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2019: Struggled to Pass Budget
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer struggled with the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a budget and made several concessions.
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March 2020: Issued Stay-at-Home Order
In March 2020, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gretchen Whitmer issued a stay-at-home order in Michigan.
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April 2020: Stay-at-Home Order Upheld
In April 2020, a Michigan judge rejected a legal challenge to Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order, holding that the state had the power to protect public health.
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April 2020: Armed Protestors at Michigan State Capitol
In April 2020, armed protestors gathered at the Michigan State Capitol building.
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April 2020: Protest Against Restrictions
In April 2020, right-wing groups organized a protest against Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19 restrictions at the Michigan State Capitol.
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May 2020: Gained National Profile Amid Trump Attacks
In May 2020, during her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, after tweets where then-President Donald Trump attacked her and dismissed her as "the woman in Michigan", Gretchen Whitmer changed the wording to the more specific "that woman in Michigan" in speeches and on T-shirts, gaining a greater national profile as Trump's original wording was forgotten.
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May 2020: Edenville Dam Failure
In May 2020, the Edenville Dam gave way after awaiting an overdue report on its safety standards, leading to criticism of the investigation.
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June 1, 2020: Lifted Stay-at-Home Order
On June 1, 2020, Gretchen Whitmer lifted Michigan's stay-at-home order and moved the state to "phase four" of her reopening plan.
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October 8, 2020: Federal Indictment Unsealed Against Men Plotting to Kidnap Whitmer
On October 8, 2020, a federal indictment against six men associated with the Wolverine Watchmen, a Michigan-based militia group, was unsealed. The indictment charges the men with plotting to kidnap Governor Whitmer and violently overthrow Michigan's government.
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October 2020: Kidnapping Plot Thwarted
In October 2020, the FBI thwarted a far-right militia group's kidnapping plot against Gretchen Whitmer.
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2020: Disapproved Trump's Census Plan
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer disapproved of then president Trump's plan to exclude illegal immigrants from the 2020 United States census.
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May 2021: Apologized for Social Distancing Violation
In May 2021, Gretchen Whitmer apologized after being photographed with a large group of unmasked people at a restaurant in East Lansing, violating state-mandated social distancing guidelines.
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June 22, 2021: Lifted Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions
On June 22, 2021, Gretchen Whitmer lifted all remaining COVID-19-related measures, citing a reduction in COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines.
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April 2022: Acquittal of Two Men in Kidnapping Plot Trial
In April 2022, two men (Harris and Caserta) were acquitted on all charges related to the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer on grounds of entrapment by federal authorities.
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August 2022: Conviction of Two Men in Kidnapping Plot Trial
In August 2022, two men (Fox and Barry Croft Jr.) were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap Governor Whitmer.
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October 2022: Conviction of Three Men in Kidnapping Plot Trial
In October 2022, three men (Morrison, Musico, and Bellar) were convicted of providing material support for a terrorist act related to the plot to kidnap Governor Whitmer.
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2023: Road Condition Report
The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council's 2023 report noted a slight decrease in roads rated as "good" and an increase in those deemed "poor", but acknowledged that roads had not deteriorated substantially from the previous year's gains.
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