Gretchen Whitmer
Encyclopedia
Gretchen Whitmer is a Democratic
member of the Michigan Senate
and Senate Democratic Leader. Whitmer has represented the 23rd District since a special election in March 2006 to replace Virg Bernero, who was elected Mayor of Lansing
the previous November. Previously, Whitmer was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006. Whitmer filed paperwork in October 2009 to run for the position of Michigan Attorney General
. However, she suspended her campaign for Michigan Attorney General in January 2010 after only four months citing family concerns.
Whitmer earned a BA degree in Communications and ultimately her law degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Michigan State University
.
Prior to her election to the Michigan House of Representatives, Whitmer was a corporate litigator specializing in administrative and regulatory law with the firm Dickinson Wright
in Lansing, Michigan
. She practiced administrative law before the Ingham County Circuit Court and the Michigan Public Service Commission.
On November 5, 2010, her Democratic colleagues chose Whitmer to be the Senate Democratic Leader.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Michigan Senate
Michigan Senate
The Michigan Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. The Senate consists of 38 members, who are elected from constituencies having approximately 212,400 to 263,500 residents....
and Senate Democratic Leader. Whitmer has represented the 23rd District since a special election in March 2006 to replace Virg Bernero, who was elected Mayor of Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
the previous November. Previously, Whitmer was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006. Whitmer filed paperwork in October 2009 to run for the position of Michigan Attorney General
Michigan Attorney General
The Attorney General of Michigan is the fourth-ranking official in the U.S. state of Michigan and one of four great offices of state. The officeholder is elected statewide in the November general election alongside the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, members of the Senate and...
. However, she suspended her campaign for Michigan Attorney General in January 2010 after only four months citing family concerns.
Career
Senator Whitmer was born in Lansing and has spent most of her life in East Lansing. She completed internships with the Office of Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings, III, the Honorable Anna Diggs Taylor, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the AFL-CIO.Whitmer earned a BA degree in Communications and ultimately her law degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
.
Prior to her election to the Michigan House of Representatives, Whitmer was a corporate litigator specializing in administrative and regulatory law with the firm Dickinson Wright
Dickinson Wright
Dickinson Wright PLLC , is a law firm based in Detroit, Michigan. It is one of the city's oldest firms, having been founded in 1878....
in Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. She practiced administrative law before the Ingham County Circuit Court and the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Political career
State Senator Gretchen Whitmer was first elected to the State Senate in March 2006. Previously she served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from 2000 to 2006. In the Senate, she serves on the following committees: Government Operations (ranking Democrat), Legislative Council and the Senate Fiscal Agency Board of Governors. As a State Representative, Whitmer served as the Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee for four years.On November 5, 2010, her Democratic colleagues chose Whitmer to be the Senate Democratic Leader.
Memberships
- State Bar of Michigan
- Ingham County Bar Association
- Women’s Economic Club
- The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
- Ingham County Democratic Party
Electoral history
External links
- Michigan Senate - Gretchen Whitmer official government website
- Capitol Watch with Senator Gretchen Whitmer with Guest Robert Stephenson
- Capitol Watch with Senator Gretchen Whitmer with Guest Robert Emmerson
- Floor Statements video clips
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Gretchen Whitmer (MI) profile
- Follow the Money - Gretchen Whitmer
- Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus
- Michigan Liberal - SD23