As a new era of complete Democratic majorities in Michigan politics begins after 40-plus years of Republican control, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — arguably the architect of it all — came to Brighton on Tuesday for a roundtable discussion with area residents.
It’s almost certainly Livingston County’s location that brought the roundtable here, but the thought crossed my mind that Whitmer’s gains in the local midterms may have played a tiny role.
Consider that while she didn’t win red, red Livingston County, Whitmer more than doubled the number of precincts she won here from when she was first elected governor in 2018 to her re-election in 2022, from 6 to 14. Her percentage of Livingston County votes increased by 3% over 2018, while the votes of her Republican opponent dropped by a point, meaning that she did 4 points better here in four years. (Click here for more.)
But that’s just me overthinking the event’s location; those numbers are actually proof of Whitmer’s political cachet.
Tuesday’s roundtable, held at the wonderful Brighton Light House venue, had in attendance more journalists — including some from national outlets — than it did roundtable panelists, and for one reason: Whitmer’s political star is soaring.
How fast and how high, you might ask?
In her first term as Michigan’s governor, Whitmer gained national attention for clashing with then-President Donald Trump over his response to the pandemic. She gave a high-profile speech at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, and she landed on the shortlist of Joe Biden’s vice-presidential candidates.
Whitmer starts her second term with the political winds at her back. Though she’s ruled out a presidential run in 2024, she’s not shut the door on any future plans.
The roundtable, moderated by Debbie Mikula, a Howell resident and executive director of the Michigan Library Association, was a friendly affair, with participants talking about the challenges they face in their lives. The conversation focused mainly on policy areas Whitmer will highlight in Wednesday’s State of the State speech, which will surely garner national buzz.
Whitmer said Michigan is ready to move forward, to “take it to the next level” in shaping policies and legislation focused on addressing the needs of the state’s workers, retirees, and recent graduates.
Some of the highlights we can expect from Whitmer’s fifth State of the State address include:
• Repealing the state’s pension tax, which went into effect in 2011 as part of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s major rewrite of Michigan’s tax code. Whitmer says repealing that tax would save half a million Michigan households an average of $1,000 a year. Click here for Whitmer’s plan.
• Creating paths for success for recent graduates without putting them “into debt for decades.”
• Codifying individual rights, including repealing Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, and expanding civil rights legislation to include LGBTQ protections.
• Passing common-sense gun legislation, including universal background checks.
Whitmer said she wants to set up the state “for long-term success.”
The State of the State speech, which will begin at 7 p.m., will be televised locally and live-streamed.
