Democrat Gretchen Whitmer wins race for Michigan's 49th governor
Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer has won the gubernatorial election, beating out Bill Schuette with 53 percent of the votes to become the 49th governor of Michigan.
When she takes over the position on Jan. 1, Whitmer will replace Gov. Rick Snyder, who was elected in 2011.
Speaking from Detroit after the announcement of her victory, Whitmer thanked voters of all backgrounds for the record-breaking turnout at the polls.
"This victory belongs to you," Whitmer said. "We may have all gone to the polls for very different reasons, but today we as Michiganders came out because we all love this state, and because we want a Michigan that works for every one of us."
Whitmer served in the state House of Representatives from 2001 to 2006. She then served in state Senate from 2006 to 2015. In 2016, Whitmer was appointed as the Ingham County Prosecutor, where she handled many cases relating to sexual assault and domestic violence.
During her time as senator she helped collect the number of votes needed to pass an expansion of Medicaid and rose to become the state democratic leader in 2010. Whitmer’s platform focused on topics like fixing Michigans "damn" roads, clean drinking water, women’s rights, health care, education and fighting the opioid epidemic.
"I will be a governor who works for everyone in this state — for those who voted for me, and for those who didn't," Whitmer said. "(I will be) a governor who always puts you, the people, first."
The Central Michigan University College Democrats hosted a joint party with the Isabella County Democratic Party on election night at the Riverwood Resort. For Tecumseh sophomore Lance Wood, membership director for the College Democrats, the massive turnout was a welcome site.
"It's definitely good to see people turning out to vote," Wood said. "Now people have finally realized that our votes do matter, and voting is important. 2016 was kind of a wake-up call, so this has been everyone's first chance since 2016 to vote in a major election."
Whitmer will be joined in office by her choice for Lt. Governor, Garlin Gilchrist II. A progressive political activist with a background in computer programming, the 35-year-old worked as an organizer for the MoveOn.org and managed social media for Barack Obama's first presidential campaign.
"Tonight is a statement that we can accomplish anything we set our hearts to," Gilchrist said. "We can accomplish everything we set our imaginations to, and if history has not yet been made, then we can make it."
