She ran on the slogan “Fix the damn roads,” the kind of platform that emphasizes practical thinking over partisan politics. So how did pragmatic Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer find herself in the middle of several of Donald Trump’s most recent tirades? Well, like others who have ended up in a similar position, she happens to be a woman—with a…
Gretchen Whitmer has been called a lot of things in the last few weeks. The Michigan governor is a “rising star for Democrats,” according to the Washington Post, and a potential vice-presidential pick for presumptive nominee Joe Biden. According to President Donald Trump, though, she’s “the woman in Michigan” or “Gretchen ‘Half’ Whitmer.” And if you…
When Liz Gereghty gets a call from her sister, it’s not the name Gretchen or Big Sis that pops up on the caller ID on her cellphone. Instead, Gereghty has changed her contact profile to show that it’s “The Woman from Michigan” calling. It’s a tribute to her sister — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — and the task…
LANSING, Mich.—The phone rings once. “Hello?” It’s a man’s voice: gruff, impatient. “Hi there,” the female caller says. “May I please speak with John?” “Who’s this?” “Gretchen Whitmer.” A three-second pause. “Governor Whitmer?” “Yes, sir.” “Oh ma’am,” John says, his tone apologetic. “Hi. How are you?” It’s a loaded question. This particular call, one of…
Democrats are turning to Michigan’ s governor, Gretchen Whitmer, to deliver the English language response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night. The choice highlights the central role Michigan and the industrial Midwest are expected to play in the presidential election this year. Trump won Michigan by a fraction of a…
LANSING, Mich. — There is a tendency for people to define Gretchen Whitmer by who she is not. Ms. Whitmer was not one of the surprising, insurgent Democratic nominees for governor this cycle, as her campaign for Michigan’s governorship was flush with money and key endorsements from the outset. She did not have the up-from-nothing background story…