Gretchen Esther Whitmer, the 49th governor of Michigan, has made a profound impact on the state's political landscape since her inauguration in 2019. Born on August 23, 1971, Whitmer's journey to the governor's office began with her early years in Michigan, where she was raised and educated.
After graduating from Forest Hills Central High School, Whitmer went on to attend Michigan State University and the Detroit College of Law, where she earned her degree. Her entry into politics began in the 1990s when she ran for the state House of Representatives, although she was unsuccessful at the time.
Undeterred, Whitmer continued to pursue her political aspirations and was eventually elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2000. She served in this position until 2006, when she was elected to the Michigan Senate, a role she held until 2015.
During her time in the Senate, Whitmer made history as the first female Democratic leader, serving in this position from 2011 to 2015. In 2013, she gained national attention for a powerful floor speech during a debate on abortion, in which she shared her personal experience of being sexually assaulted.
In addition to her legislative work, Whitmer has also served as a prosecutor, holding the position of Ingham County prosecutor for six months in 2016. She was elected governor in 2018, defeating Republican nominee Bill Schuette, and has since focused on healthcare and infrastructure legislation.
In February 2020, Whitmer was selected to deliver the Democratic response to then-President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address. Later that year, the Federal Bureau of Investigation thwarted a militia group's kidnapping plot against her.
Since January 2021, Whitmer has served as one of the vice chairs of the Democratic National Committee. She was reelected governor in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Tudor Dixon, and continues to serve as the governor of Michigan.
