Lansing, Michigan (AP) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer sworn in for second term As the state’s 49th governor on Sunday, he stepped up and pushed a message of unity in his remarks on the Capitol steps as Democrats took full control of state government for the first time in 40 years.
Whitmer was first elected in 2018. After serving 14 years in the state legislature, he was reelected in November, defeating Republican Tudor Dixon. Almost 11 percentage points.Alongside her on Sunday were other top Democratic leaders, including the newly re-elected Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Lieutenant Governor Garlyn Gilchrist II.
In his inaugural address, Whitmer said he would pursue “common sense” gun reform, continue to invest in K-12 education, improve workers’ rights, cut taxes for state retirees, and fight climate change. He pledged to work on it, adding that it would provide more specifics in the next states. of state speech.
“Over the next four years, our job is to enable all Michigans, now and in the future, to succeed,” Whitmer told the approximately 1,000 attendees. “Our message is simple: let the world know your future is here in Michigan.”
Whitmer faces a challenge to fulfillment in the newly empowered Democratic caucuses Democrats are building on a long-standing promise in battleground states that they must appeal to more than their bases, or they risk losing their majority to win Congress again in two years.
Whitmer thanked several Republican legislative leaders and, throughout his speech, promised to work with “anyone who wants to solve problems and get things done.”
The state Senate’s new Republican leader, Sen. Arick Nesbitt, congratulated Whitmer following his inauguration, saying in a statement that she would “live up to her repeated promises of bipartisanship.” said he wanted.
Inauguration Ceremony Comes Days After Two Men Are Sentenced serve long sentences in federal prison after they led a conspiracy Kidnap Whitmer in 2020, ahead of the presidential election. Whitmer has previously accused Republican leaders of fanning violent rhetoric and downplaying her plans to kidnap and assassinate her..
Michigan’s Democrats formally took control of the state’s House and Senate at noon Sunday after winning a narrow majority in November elections and overturning both houses.
newly elected Democratic leader in CongressSenate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and House Speaker Joe Tate, joined the governor and stressed the importance of bipartisanship during their speeches.
Brinks, who was elected the Senate’s first female majority leader last December, said: “We have an unprecedented opportunity to work beyond the legislative branch and with the executive branch.
A new legislative session must start on the second Wednesday in January. The state’s budget will make him one of the priorities for lawmakers to work on as they carry her nearly $6 billion surplus into the new year.
History was also made on Sunday in the state Supreme Court Keira Harris Bolden was sworn in as the first black woman to serve on the Supreme Court after Whitmer appointed a former state representative to replace retired Justice Bridget McCormack in November. managed.
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I correct in the last paragraph of this article that Keira Harris Bolden was a state representative, not a state senator. She also corrects an earlier version that said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was the first female governor when elected in 2018.
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Joey Cappelletti is a member of The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a non-profit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to cover hidden issues.