Gretchen Whitmer's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Gretchen Whitmer.

Gretchen Whitmer is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the 49th governor of Michigan since 2019. As a member of the Democratic Party, her political career includes time in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006, followed by service in the Michigan Senate from 2006 to 2015. Her tenure as governor has placed her at the forefront of state-level politics, addressing various issues and challenges facing Michigan.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2000: Elected to Michigan House of Representatives

In 2000, Gretchen Whitmer was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for the 70th district, succeeding Laura Baird. She campaigned on education and healthcare reform and environmental protections, receiving 17,409 votes.

2002: Re-elected to the Michigan House

In 2002, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the 69th House district in Michigan.

2004: Re-elected to the Michigan House for the 69th district.

In 2004, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the 69th House district in Michigan. She also served as vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee.

March 2006: Elected to Michigan State Senate

In March 2006, Gretchen Whitmer won a special election to the Michigan State Senate, replacing Virg Bernero.

2010: Re-elected to the Michigan State Senate

In 2010, Gretchen Whitmer was re-elected to the Michigan State Senate.

2011: Senate Democratic Leader

In 2011, Gretchen Whitmer was unanimously chosen by her Democratic colleagues to be the Senate Democratic Leader, making her the first woman to lead a party caucus in the Senate.

2013: Role in Passing Michigan's Medicaid Expansion

In 2013, as Senate minority leader, Whitmer played a key role in passing Michigan's Medicaid expansion by delivering the Democratic votes needed for its approval.

August 2018: Wins Democratic Primary

In August 2018, Gretchen Whitmer became the Democratic nominee in the Michigan gubernatorial race, winning 52% of the vote.

2018: Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign endorsed Whitmer during her 2018 campaign for governor.

April 2020: Legal Challenge to Stay-at-Home Order Rejected

In April 2020, a Michigan judge rejected a legal challenge to Governor Whitmer's stay-at-home order, affirming the state's power to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Signed Bill Ending Surprise Medical Billing

In 2020, Whitmer signed a bipartisan bill into law to end surprise medical billing in Michigan. This requires providers to negotiate bills for out-of-network emergency services with the patient's insurance company instead of the patient directly.

October 2021: Expanded Property Tax Exemptions for Small Businesses

In October 2021, Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation that expanded property tax exemptions for small businesses, providing $75 million in savings.

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, providing a total of $200 million in tax savings.

2021: Rating Outlook Upgrades for Michigan

In 2021, S&P and Fitch both announced rating outlook upgrades for Michigan, citing the state's responsible fiscal management and economic success emerging from the pandemic.

2022: Whitmer Reelected

In 2022, Gretchen Whitmer was reelected as governor of Michigan, defeating Republican nominee Tudor Dixon by nearly 11 points.

2022: Rainy-Day Fund Reaches 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: Signed Bills to Reduce Prescription Drug Prices

In 2022, Whitmer signed a bipartisan package of bills into law aimed at reducing prescription drug prices. These bills require pharmacists to disclose prices of cheaper generic drugs to patients and mandate that pharmacy benefit managers be licensed and file drug-price transparency reports.

2022: Michigan Tax Burden Lowest in Midwest

In 2022, according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, Michigan had the fifth-lowest state and local tax burden in the nation and the lowest in the Midwest.

2022: Michigan Roads 'In Their Best Shape in Years'

In 2022, the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council's report found that Michigan's roads were 'in their best shape in years.' The report showed that the proportion of roads rated 'good' and 'fair' had increased, while the proportion of roads rated as 'poor' decreased.

2022: Endorsed by Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign endorsed Whitmer during her 2022 campaign for governor.

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. The bill passed with bipartisan support.

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. She also signed legislation reinstating a prevailing wage law.

April 2023: Signed Bill Repealing 1931 Abortion Ban

In April 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill repealing the 1931 ban on abortion in Michigan, ensuring abortion access in the state.

April 2023: Signed Gun Violence Prevention Legislation

In April 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed a package of gun violence prevention legislation into law, including universal background checks, safe storage laws, firearm safety device tax exemptions, and new licensure requirements for gun owners, following the 2021 Oxford High School shooting and 2023 Michigan State University shooting.

May 2023: Signed Red Flag Law

In May 2023, Gretchen Whitmer signed a red flag law in Michigan, which 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 and makes it a criminal offense to intimidate or threaten a poll worker. It clarifies the canvassing boards' duty to certify election results. This was partly in response to attempts to subvert the 2020 election.

2023: Signed Bipartisan Tax Cuts 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.