‘We Need More Politicians Like Gretchen Whitmer’

Three times in the past year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer trekked to Washington, D.C., to meet in person with her party’s ultimate nemesis, President Donald Trump.

Each time, the Democrat made nice with a man she had had high-profile feuds with in order to emerge with key support for the state. First, in the commitment to keep and expand Selfridge Air Force Base, and then to get federal disaster relief for storm devastated communities in northern Michigan. She also bent his ear on the impact of the Trump administration’s tariffs, among other pressing matters.

With each of these missions came a chorus of partisan voices angry that she would cooperate with this White House. And yet, to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan President and Chief Executive Officer Tricia A. Keith, her willingness to do so exemplifies why Whitmer’s two terms have been so successful.

“She was willing to meet whoever, wherever, whenever,” Keith said. “That is what it takes to lead a purple state. You have to put your own personal opinions aside. You have to put partisanship aside, and you have to work with those who can best impact Michigan. That’s exactly what she’s done.”

In the process, the outgoing governor has made fans out of one-time skeptics like Detroit Regional Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah, a lifelong Republican and close friend of Whitmer’s 2018 opponent, former Attorney General Bill Schuette. The Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC) endorsed Whitmer that year, a decision Baruah said he understood, but “I just didn’t know her all that well, so I wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Now, he is “an unabashed friend and fan.” That doesn’t mean we have agreed on every issue, but what I appreciate about Gretchen Whitmer is that she is absolutely, positively authentic,” Baruah said. “In today’s political environment, someone who’s willing to say what they believe, regardless of who they’re speaking to and which political party they may belong to, is a unique gift to our political discourse.”

It helps that Whitmer embraced the Chamber’s agenda, especially on education. She took on the goal set by the organization for the Detroit Region and made achieving at least 60% of Michigan adults having some form of postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030 a statewide goal. She is also shepherding legislation critical to reach that educational attainment milestone to make two years of community college tuition-free and expand state apprenticeship programs. Baruah also praised her establishment of the Office of Electrification and Mobility, a state agency focused on attracting research and investment to the state.

“She does understand the importance of both the manufacturing economy, but just as equally the next generation mobility economy, which has less to do with manufacturing and frankly more to do with research, development, software, and data,” Baruah said. “She’s leaving office strong by [speaking out on] the importance of data centers to Michigan’s economy. I really applaud her for that.”

The Whitmer years were uniquely challenging, of course, because she helmed the state as it weathered the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI 6) says the governor zeroed in early on bringing carmakers and unions together. “I spent one whole weekend working with her getting everybody on the same page so we could keep people whole and healthy and keep businesses competitive,” Dingell recalls.

Dingell credits Whitmer with that, the Selfridge expansion, and with preventing General Motors from leaving Detroit. As a result of these and other efforts, the state gained population last year for the first time in more than three decades.

“She worked with Dan Gilbert, she asked him, ‘What does it take to not only attract new business but also attract people downtown, and how do we support employees?’” Dingell says. “Then she’s worked very hard on understanding our education system and the skill set that’s required for the jobs that employers need.”

One reason for Michigan’s ascent has been Whitmer’s national and international travel and high profile, says Suzanne Shank, President and Chief Executive of Siebert Williams Shank & Co.

“She has really helped Michigan be viewed as a player,” Shank said. “I travel a lot, and people often mention, ‘Oh, you guys have a great governor.’ I’ve appreciated her leadership in elevating the image of Michigan. It’s really made me proud to be a Michigander.”

Shank marvels at Whitmer’s political talent.

“There were some years where she didn’t have a Democratic legislative branch at all, and then there are other times when she had both, and she was equally effective no matter what the environment was,” Shank said. “I’m excited to see what comes next, and I certainly hope she continues in her public service. She’s extremely valuable, smart, and driven. We need more politicians like Gretchen Whitmer.”

Steve Friess is a metro Detroit freelance writer who contributes to the New York Times and other publications.