History of Gretchen Whitmer in Timeline
Gretchen Whitmer is the current governor of Michigan, serving since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, her political career includes terms in the Michigan House of Representatives (2001-2006) and the Michigan Senate (2006-2015) before becoming governor. As governor, she has focused on issues such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
24 hours ago : Governor Whitmer's final State of the State address focuses on Michigan's future.
Governor Whitmer is delivering her final State of the State address, with focuses on key issues for Michigan. Expectations are high for the address to outline priorities and future plans.
1931: Reference to 1931 Abortion Ban
In January 2023, Gretchen Whitmer called for a repeal of Michigan's now defunct 1931 abortion ban.
August 23, 1971: Gretchen Whitmer Born
On August 23, 1971, Gretchen Esther Whitmer was born. She is an American lawyer and politician who has been serving as the 49th governor of Michigan since 2019.
1985: Attended Forest Hills Central High School
From 1985 to 1989, Gretchen Whitmer attended Forest Hills Central High School near Grand Rapids, participating in the school's softball and track and field teams.
1987: Most Improved Student
In 1987, Gretchen Whitmer was awarded most improved student at her school.
1988: Father became CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield
In 1988, Richard Whitmer, Gretchen Whitmer's father, became the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
1989: Graduated from Forest Hills Central High School
In 1989, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Forest Hills Central High School near Grand Rapids.
1993: Graduated from Michigan State University
In 1993, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication.
1998: Juris Doctor degree
In 1998, Gretchen Whitmer earned a Juris Doctor degree.
1998: Graduated from Michigan State University College of Law
In 1998, Gretchen Whitmer graduated from Michigan State University College of Law with a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude.
1999: Elected Chair of East Lansing Transportation Commission
In 1999, Gretchen Whitmer was elected chair of the East Lansing Transportation Commission.
2000: Elected to Michigan House of Representatives
In 2000, Gretchen Whitmer won the election to the Michigan House of Representatives' 70th district.
2001: Married Gary Shrewsbury
In 2001, Gretchen Whitmer married Gary Shrewsbury, a photographer.
2001: Elected to Michigan House of Representatives
In 2001, Gretchen Whitmer was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives.
2002: Re-elected to the 69th House district
In 2002, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the 69th House district.
2002: Birth of First Child and Mother's Death
In 2002, Whitmer gave birth to her first child shortly before her mother died of glioblastoma at the age of 59.
2003: Introduced a Bill in the Michigan House
In 2003, Gretchen Whitmer introduced a bill in the Michigan House to raise taxes on alcohol and improve fire protection in the state.
2004: Re-elected to the 69th House district
In 2004, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the 69th House district and served as vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee.
2005: Most Effective Democrat
In 2005, Gretchen Whitmer was voted Most Effective Democrat of the Michigan House.
March 2006: Won special election to the Michigan State Senate
In March 2006, Gretchen Whitmer won a special election to the Michigan State Senate, replacing Virg Bernero.
2006: Elected to Michigan Senate
In 2006, Gretchen Whitmer was elected to the Michigan State Senate.
2006: Father's tenure ended at Blue Cross Blue Shield
In 2006, Richard Whitmer's tenure as president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan ended.
2008: Divorced Gary Shrewsbury
In 2008, Whitmer divorced Gary Shrewsbury, though they remain close.
2010: Re-elected to Michigan Senate
In 2010, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the Michigan State Senate.
2011: Senate Democratic Leader
In 2011, Gretchen Whitmer became the first female Democratic leader in the Michigan State Senate.
2011: Married Marc P. Mallory
In 2011, Whitmer married Marc P. Mallory, a dentist.
2012: Whitmer wrote open letter to NRA President
In 2012, Gretchen Whitmer wrote an open letter to National Rifle Association President Wayne LaPierre on HuffPost about actions to prevent further school violence like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
2012: Michigan's Right-to-Work Law
In 2012, Michigan established a "right-to-work law".
2013: Shared Experience of Sexual Assault
In 2013, Gretchen Whitmer gained national attention for sharing her experience of being sexually assaulted during a debate on abortion.
2013: Revealed Sexual Assault
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, during a debate about abortion rights.
2015: Left office in Michigan State Senate
In 2015, Gretchen Whitmer left office in the Michigan State Senate due to term limits.
2015: Left Michigan Senate
In 2015, Gretchen Whitmer left the Michigan Senate due to term limits.
2015: End of term in the State Senate
In 2015, Gretchen Whitmer's term in the Michigan State Senate ended.
May 11, 2016: Selected as Ingham County Prosecutor
On May 11, 2016, the judges of Michigan's 30th Judicial Circuit Court unanimously selected Gretchen Whitmer to serve as Ingham County Prosecutor.
June 21, 2016: Administered Oath of Office
On June 21, 2016, Gretchen Whitmer was administered the oath of office as prosecutor by Ingham County Circuit Court Chief Judge Janelle Lawless.
July 2, 2016: Dunnings Resigned
On July 2, 2016, Stuart Dunnings III resigned as Ingham County Prosecutor, after which Gretchen Whitmer would serve the remaining six months of his term.
July 2016: Issued Report on Dunnings's Offenses
In July 2016, Gretchen Whitmer issued an 11-page report on whether Stuart Dunnings's offenses had affected cases the office handled, concluding that employees were never asked to compromise a case or look the other way.
2016: Ingham County Prosecutor
For six months in 2016, Gretchen Whitmer was the prosecutor for Ingham County.
December 31, 2016: Term Expired as Prosecutor
On December 31, 2016, Gretchen Whitmer's term as Ingham County Prosecutor expired.
January 3, 2017: Announced Gubernatorial Run
On January 3, 2017, Gretchen Whitmer announced she would run in the 2018 Michigan gubernatorial race.
August 2018: Became the Democratic Nominee
In August 2018, Gretchen Whitmer became the Democratic nominee, winning 52% of the vote.
2018: Shrewsbury Photographed 2018 Gubernatorial Campaign
In 2018, Gary Shrewsbury, Whitmer's ex-husband, worked as a photographer on Whitmer's gubernatorial campaign.
2018: Healthcare Stance
In 2018, Gretchen Whitmer spoke against single-payer healthcare as unrealistic on a state level but expressed support for federal-level Medicare for All. She also vowed to lower prescription drug costs and eliminate Schuette's drug immunity law, which she believes protects drug companies.
2018: Elected Governor of Michigan
In 2018, Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor of Michigan, defeating Republican nominee Bill Schuette.
2018: Whitmer spoke at Hash Bash to endorse Proposal 1
In 2018, as a candidate for governor, Gretchen Whitmer spoke at Hash Bash to endorse Proposal 1 to legalize recreational cannabis in Michigan.
2018: Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign endorsed Gretchen Whitmer during her 2018 campaign for governor.
2018: Campaigning
While campaigning in 2018, Gretchen Whitmer said she would focus on improving Michigan's schools, roads, and water systems.
February 2019: Whitmer reorganized state government departments
In February 2019, Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order that reorganized some state government departments; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality became the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
2019: Became Governor of Michigan
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer became the 49th Governor of Michigan.
2019: Whitmer established the Michigan Reconnect program
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer established the Michigan Reconnect program passed with bipartisan support after first proposing the program in her State of the State speech as part of her "60 by 30" goal to address workforce talent shortages.
2019: Whitmer joined governors in calling for gun legislation
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer joined 11 other governors in calling for "common sense gun legislation".
2019: Struggled to Pass Budget
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer struggled with the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a budget, making several concessions.
2019: Supported Undocumented Immigrants Driver's Licenses
In 2019, Gretchen Whitmer told immigration rights groups that she supported plans to give undocumented immigrants driver's licenses or a form of government ID.
2019: Canceled Sale of State Prison
In 2019, Whitmer canceled the sale of a former state prison due to the purchasing company's plans to operate the facility as an immigrant detention center. The company could not guarantee that the facility would not be used to house separated families under the Trump administration's family separation policy.
2019: Created Clean Water Public Advocate Office
In 2019, Whitmer created the office of the Clean Water Public Advocate and has enforced Michigan's recently updated lead and copper drinking water rule, which has the nation's strictest standards for drinking water contamination.
2019: Whitmer celebrated legalization of recreational cannabis
In 2019, as governor, Gretchen Whitmer reappeared at Hash Bash via video message to celebrate the legalization of recreational cannabis in Michigan.
February 2020: Whitmer delivered Democratic response to State of the Union address
In February 2020, Gretchen Whitmer was selected to deliver the Democratic response to the State of the Union address by then President Donald Trump.
February 2020: Democratic Response to State of the Union Address
In February 2020, Gretchen Whitmer was selected to give the Democratic response to President Donald Trump's 2020 State of the Union Address.
March 2020: Stay-at-Home Order Issued
In March 2020, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gretchen Whitmer issued a stay-at-home order for Michigan.
March 2020: Trump's Remark and Whitmer's Response
In late March 2020, President Donald Trump reportedly told Vice President Mike Pence, "don't call the woman in Michigan," seemingly in response to Whitmer's criticism of the Trump administration's initial COVID-19 pandemic response. This event brought national attention to Whitmer.
April 2020: Legal Challenge Rejected
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.
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.
April 2020: Armed protestors at the Michigan State Capitol
In April 2020, there were armed protestors at the Michigan State Capitol, leading to Gretchen Whitmer calling for a ban on all weapons inside the Capitol in January 2021.
May 2020: Cecily Strong portrayed Whitmer on Saturday Night Live
In May 2020, Cecily Strong portrayed Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday Night Live, after tweets in which Trump attacked her and dismissed her as "the woman in Michigan", 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.
May 2020: Gmac Cash Released "Big Gretch"
In May 2020, Detroit-based comedy rapper Gmac Cash released "Big Gretch", a song praising Whitmer and the COVID-19 lockdown. The song went viral on YouTube.
May 2020: Edenville Dam Gave Way
In May 2020, the Edenville Dam gave way, after awaiting an overdue report on its safety standards. Whitmer directed the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to form an investigation.
June 1, 2020: Stay-at-Home Order Lifted
On June 1, 2020, Gretchen Whitmer lifted Michigan's stay-at-home order, moving the state to "phase four" of her reopening plan.
September 2020: Whitmer's COVID-19-related orders issued
In September 2020, Gretchen Whitmer's COVID-19-related orders, issued under the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act, were in effect. Republicans criticized her use of the law.
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 Gretchen Whitmer and violently overthrow Michigan's government.
October 2020: Kidnapping Plot Thwarted
In October 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation thwarted a far-right militia group's kidnapping plot against Gretchen Whitmer.
October 2020: Michigan Supreme Court decision on Emergency Powers Act
In October 2020, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act was unconstitutional and that the 1976 Emergency Management Act did not give Whitmer the power, after April 30, to issue or renew any executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic after 28 days without Legislative approval. On the same day, a group called "Unlock Michigan" turned in 460,000 valid citizen signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State's Office, seeking to trigger an initiative to repeal the 1945 act.
December 2020: Whitmer vetoed repeal of Emergency Powers Act
In December 2020, Gretchen Whitmer vetoed legislation passed by the legislature to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act, which she had been using to issue COVID-19 related orders.
2020: Whitmer described herself as a progressive Democrat
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer described herself as a progressive Democrat who can work with legislators with different political perspectives.
2020: Whitmer launched Futures for Frontliners program
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer launched the Futures for Frontliners program, providing tuition-free access to an associate degree or professional certification program for Michiganders who served as essential workers during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Whitmer spoke at the Democratic National Convention
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer spoke at the Democratic National Convention, praising Biden's work and criticizing Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Whitmer vetted as potential vice presidential running mate
In 2020, Gretchen Whitmer was vetted by Joe Biden's team as a potential running mate during the Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection. Though on the shortlist, Kamala Harris was ultimately selected.
2020: Announced Rebuilding Michigan Program
In 2020, Whitmer announced the Rebuilding Michigan program, which provided $3.5 billion in state funding for over 120 road projects for the next five years, focusing on major roads with the greatest economic impact and traffic volume.
2020: Disapproved of Trump's Census Plan
In 2020, Whitmer disapproved of Trump's plan to exclude illegal immigrants from the 2020 United States census.
2020: Signed Bill Ending Surprise Medical Billing
In 2020, Whitmer signed a bipartisan bill into law, ending surprise medical billing in Michigan by requiring providers to negotiate bills for out-of-network emergency services with a patient's insurance company instead of the patient.
2020: Expanded Access to Mail-in Voting
In 2020, Whitmer signed an executive order expanding access to mail-in voting.
January 9, 2021: Whitmer declined interest in Biden's cabinet
On January 9, 2021, Gretchen Whitmer stated that she was not interested in leaving her role as governor, despite speculation she might be offered a position in Biden's cabinet.
January 2021: Vice Chair of Democratic National Committee
From January 2021 to February 2025, Gretchen Whitmer served as one of the vice chairs of the Democratic National Committee.
January 2021: Whitmer called for ban on weapons inside Michigan State Capitol
In January 2021, Gretchen Whitmer called for a ban on all weapons inside the Michigan State Capitol in response to armed protestors in April 2020.
January 2021: Whitmer co-chaired Biden's inaugural committee and nominated as vice chair candidate for the Democratic National Committee
In January 2021, Gretchen Whitmer co-chaired Biden's inaugural committee, and then-President-elect Biden nominated her as a vice chair candidate for the Democratic National Committee. The committee elected Whitmer and the rest of the slate of candidates on January 20 unopposed.
February 2021: Cecily Strong portrayed Whitmer on Saturday Night Live
In February 2021, Cecily Strong portrayed Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday Night Live episodes.
May 2021: Apology for Unmasked Photo
In May 2021, Gretchen Whitmer apologized after being photographed with a large group of unmasked people, with no social distancing, at a restaurant in East Lansing. She was seen violating state-mandated social distancing guidelines.
June 22, 2021: COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted
On June 22, 2021, Gretchen Whitmer lifted all COVID-19 restrictions in Michigan, citing a reduction in COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines.
July 2021: Legislature approved citizen initiative to repeal 1945 act
In July 2021, the legislature voted to approve the citizen initiative to repeal the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act. Under state law, Whitmer could not veto this step, and the repeal took effect.
September 2021: Whitmer worked to repeal abortion ban
In September 2021, Gretchen Whitmer began working with the state legislature to repeal a 90-year-old law that banned abortion in Michigan, to preserve abortion rights if Roe v. Wade was overturned.
October 2021: Expanded Property Tax Exemptions for Small Businesses
In October 2021, Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation to expand property tax exemptions, providing $75 million in savings for small businesses.
December 2021: Created SALT Tax Cap Workaround for Small Businesses
In December 2021, Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation creating a SALT tax cap workaround for small businesses that providing a total of $200 million in tax savings.
December 20, 2021: Whitmer signed bill creating economic development fund
On December 20, 2021, Gretchen Whitmer signed House Bill 4603, a bipartisan measure that created a $1 billion economic development fund to attract manufacturers to Michigan.
2021: Over 120,000 applied for Futures for Frontliners
By 2021, more than 120,000 people had applied for Gretchen Whitmer's Futures for Frontliners program.
2021: Made a $500 million Deposit to Michigan's rainy-day fund
In 2021, under Gretchen Whitmer, a $500 million deposit was made to grow Michigan's rainy-day fund.
April 2022: Acquittal of men charged in Whitmer kidnapping plot
In April 2022, two men (Harris and Caserta) were acquitted on all charges related to the plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer, on grounds of entrapment by federal authorities.
August 2022: Convictions in Whitmer kidnapping plot
In August 2022, two men (Fox and Barry Croft Jr.) were convicted of conspiracy to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer.
October 2022: Further convictions in Whitmer kidnapping plot
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 Gretchen Whitmer. Additionally, Garbin and Franks pleaded guilty.
2022: Whitmer considered a possible presidential candidate
After her 2022 reelection, Gretchen Whitmer was considered a possible presidential candidate in the event that Biden did not run for a second term in 2024.
2022: Democrats took control of the Senate and House of Representatives
After the 2022 Michigan elections, Democrats took control of the Senate and House of Representatives, allowing Whitmer greater control of her legislative agenda.
2022: Whitmer signed legislation establishing Michigan Achievement Scholarship
In 2022, Gretchen Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and providing $560 million to fund it.
2022: Whitmer supported Michigan Proposal 3
In 2022, Gretchen Whitmer strongly supported 2022 Michigan Proposal 3, a ballot proposal that amended the Michigan Constitution to include the right to reproductive freedom.
2022: Re-elected as Governor
In 2022, Gretchen Whitmer was reelected as governor, defeating Republican nominee Tudor Dixon.
2022: Michigan Had Fifth-Lowest State and Local Tax Burden
In 2022, Michigan had the fifth-lowest state and local tax burden in the nation and the lowest in the Midwest, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation.
2022: Michigan's Rainy-Day Fund Reached All-Time High
In 2022, Michigan's rainy-day fund grew to an all-time high of $1.6 billion thanks to a $500 million deposit made in 2021 and an additional $180 million deposit in 2022 as part of bipartisan spending agreements.
2022: Secured Water Infrastructure Investments
In 2022, Whitmer secured $1.7 billion in water infrastructure investments as part of a nearly $5 billion bipartisan infrastructure deal signed into law. The package included major funding for local governments to upgrade their drinking water systems, hundreds of millions to replace an estimated 20,000 lead service lines across the state, and millions more to address other drinking water contaminants.
2022: Signed Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal and Created Michigan Infrastructure Office
In 2022, Whitmer signed a bipartisan $5 billion infrastructure deal that included over $400 million for state and local roads and bridges. She also signed an executive order to streamline road repairs and announced the creation of the Michigan Infrastructure Office to coordinate between agencies and spend infrastructure funding more effectively.
2022: Signed Bills to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices
In 2022, Whitmer signed a bipartisan package of bills into law to reduce prescription drug prices by requiring pharmacists to disclose prices of cheaper generic drugs to patients and by requiring pharmacy benefit managers to be licensed and file drug-price transparency reports.
2022: Uncertainty regarding Michigan's abortion statute
In 2022, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it was unclear whether Michigan's 1931 statute criminalizing abortion procedures and drugs was operative.
2022: Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign endorsed Gretchen Whitmer during her 2022 campaign for governor.
2022: Roads "in their best shape in years"
The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council's 2022 report found that Michigan's roads were "in their best shape in years", with the proportion of roads rated "good" and "fair" increasing while those in "poor" condition decreased.
January 2023: State of the State Address
In her January 2023 State of the State address, Gretchen Whitmer called for a repeal of the state's retirement tax, universal pre-kindergarten, investment in renewable energy, and stricter gun laws.
March 2023: Expanded Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act
In March 2023, Whitmer signed legislation to expand the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections against discrimination in employment and housing, based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
March 2023: Repealed Right-to-Work Law
In March 2023, Whitmer signed the repeal of the state's 2012 "right-to-work law"; Michigan was the first state in 58 years to repeal such a law. Whitmer also signed legislation reinstating a prevailing wage law.
April 2023: Whitmer signed bill repealing abortion ban
In April 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill repealing the 1931 ban, ensuring abortion access in Michigan.
April 2023: Whitmer signed gun violence prevention legislation
In April 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of gun violence prevention legislation after Democrats won a majority in the state legislature. The Michigan package included a universal background checks law, a safe storage law, a law exempting of firearm safety devices from state sales tax and use tax, and a law containing new licensure requirements for gun owners.
April 25, 2023: Whitmer named co-chair of Biden's reelection campaign
On April 25, 2023, Gretchen Whitmer was named co-chair of Joe Biden's reelection campaign.
May 2023: Whitmer signed red flag law
In May 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed a red flag law; that law took effect in February 2024.
November 2023: Signed Election-Related Bills
In November 2023, Whitmer signed a series of election-related bills. The package of legislation expands automatic citizen voter registration, makes it a criminal offense to intimidate or threaten a poll worker, and clarifies the duty of the state canvassing board to certify election results.
November 2023: Sister Dropped Out of Congressional Primary
In November 2023, Whitmer's sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, dropped out of the Democratic primary for Congress in New York's 17th congressional district.
2023: Signed $1 Billion Tax Cut Package
In 2023, Whitmer signed a bipartisan $1 billion package of tax cuts into law. The legislation repealed the retirement tax, quintupled the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit, and allocated up to $500 million per year of corporate taxes towards the state's fund for business incentives.
2023: Inducted into Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
In 2023, Whitmer was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.
2023: Whitmer called for expanding Michigan Reconnect program
In her 2023 State of the State Address, Gretchen Whitmer called for expanding the Michigan Reconnect program by lowering the minimum age to 21.
2023: Road conditions report
The Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council's 2023 report found that "slightly fewer roads were in good condition and slightly more were deemed poor" but said it was a good sign that roads had not deteriorated substantially from the gains in the previous year.
2023: Whitmer Discussed "Big Gretch" Nickname
Whitmer told WNEM-TV in 2023, "Big Gretch is kind of a persona that came out of the pandemic. It was an acknowledgment that has gone through some tough stuff, and this was a nickname that came about because people wanted to give me a little encouragement. And so it was never a nickname I thought about or would have picked, but it's one that I really appreciate. And I think it's there. It's funny, too."
February 2024: Red flag law took effect
In February 2024, the red flag law signed by Gretchen Whitmer in May 2023 took effect.
March 2024: Whitmer hinted at running for president in 2028
In a speech in Washington D.C. in March 2024, Gretchen Whitmer hinted at running for president in 2028, saying, "See you in 2029."
July 2024: Whitmer withdrew candidacy, endorsed Kamala Harris
After Joe Biden withdrew his candidacy in July 2024, Gretchen Whitmer announced that she would not seek the Democratic nomination, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign. She also said she would not accept an offer to be Harris's running mate.
October 2024: Viral Video and Apology
In October 2024, Whitmer appeared in a viral video promoting the CHIPS and Science Act, where she fed a Dorito chip to a podcaster, Liz Plank. This act received criticism from some Catholic groups, who interpreted it as resembling the Eucharist. Consequently, Whitmer apologized, clarifying that the intention was to promote semiconductor manufacturing legislation and not to mock religious practices.
November 2024: Pro-Israel Speeches at Rally
After the November 2024 election, Whitmer, along with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, gave pro-Israel speeches at a pro-Israel rally to the Jewish Federations of North America's General Assembly and expressed solidarity with the Israeli people.
2024: Sister Ran For Congress
In 2024, Whitmer's sister, Liz Whitmer Gereghty, briefly ran for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New York's 17th congressional district.
2024: Signed Bills Regulating Political Disinformation
The 2024 packages of bills Whitmer signed also include a bill to regulate political disinformation campaigns ("materially deceptive media") by requiring artificial intelligence-generated political ads to contain disclaimers.
2024: Addressed Nickname at Democratic National Convention
Whitmer addressed the "Big Gretch" nickname at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, saying, "In Lansing, they call me governor, but in Detroit, I’m 'Big Gretch!'"
April 2025: Whitmer attended Oval Office event
In April 2025, Gretchen Whitmer attended an Oval Office event where Trump unexpectedly brought her in during a signing ceremony, drawing national attention for photographs showing her shielding her face with folders. Later that month, she greeted Trump at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where he announced a new F‑15EX fighter jet mission for Michigan, a major win for the state's economy and military personnel.
2025: Whitmer described herself as a centrist Democrat
By 2025, Gretchen Whitmer described herself a centrist Democrat in contrast to Bernie Sanders' and Zohran Mamdani's left-wing politics.
2028: Whitmer mentioned as potential presidential candidate
Gretchen Whitmer has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the 2028 United States presidential election.
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