Democrat Gretchen Whitmer is now Michigan’s 49th governor. Whitmer took the oath of office in a swearing-in ceremony outside the state Capitol building Tuesday. During the ceremony, Whitmer said Michigan’s problems are not partisan ones. She said potholes, clean water, great schools and better job skills “are not political,” and she pledged to be a “governor for everyone.” Also sworn in yesterday were top executive branch officials including Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrest II, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Gilchrest is the first African American to serve as Lieutenant Governor and Nessel the first openly gay woman to serve as Attorney General. It’s the first time Democrats jointly held control of all the state’s top offices in 32 years.
