The Choice That Will Determine Gretchen Whitmer’s Future — and Michigan’s

Will the governor move toward the middle as her tenure comes to an end, distinguishing herself as a 2028 presidential contender — or continue moving left?

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Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer participates in a discussion of domestic and foreign policy priorities with Gretchen Carlson, in Washington D.C., April 9, 2025.

Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

The jockeying for the 2028 presidential race is well underway, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will surely be a contender for Democrats. So it’s worth paying attention to her ongoing debate with the state legislature over Michigan’s direction. By the end of the month, when the state budget is due, Americans will know if she’s moving toward commonsense spending and problem-solving — or doubling down on a failed and unaffordable vision of more taxes and spending.

Michigan needs to pass a budget by October 1, or else it will face a government shutdown. Since the start of the year, Whitmer’s fellow Democrats, who control the state senate, have demanded a blowout budget that Michigan can’t afford.

JH

About the Author

James M. Hohman

James M. Hohman is the director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

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