DETROIT (WWJ) - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke of future plans while addressing supporters on Wednesday morning after winning another four years in the state's top political job against Republican Gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon.
"It's hard to believe it's been four years in some ways it seems a lot longer and in other ways it seems a lot shorter," Whitmer began at the Motor City Casino Sound Board in Detroit on Wednesday morning.
"I told you four years ago that we would focus on the kitchen table issues: drinking water, affordable healthcare, education and of course, fixing the damn roads," she said.
"What I did not anticipate, which none of us could have, were the historic challenges which we would face over the four years. What I learned through everything we face is that tough times call for tough people and if there's one thing that Michiganders are, it's tough. Together we got through all the challenges that were thrown our way and we made historic progress to build a stronger future for everyone."
Whitmer thanked her family, friends and supporters, but gave a special shoutout to the "incredible Spartans and Wolverines and college students across the state" who faced long wait times to register to vote "and move our state forward."
"Best of all," Whitmer continued, "We keep get to doing this work and keep serving the public in our beautiful home state. January 1 is less than 60 days away and I am committed to having a productive session through the end of this year and then we're going to hit the ground running for term two."
"Over the next four years we will continue growing our economy by competing for project to make more cars, semi conductors, and clean energy here in Michigan," Whitmer added. "We'll keep fighting to repel the retirement tax so seniors can keep more of what they've earned. We will protect the Great Lakes for generations and ensure every Michigander can purse their potential from preschool to post secondary."
The governor vowed to keep "fighting like hell to protect fundamental rights as they continue to be under assault across the nation." Whitmer acknowledged the passage of Proposal 3, enshrining abortion rights in the state's constitution, but said it is important to keep on fighting.
"I won't make predictions for the next four years, but I can promise this: we will make Michigan a place where you can envision your future," she continued. "A state where anyone -- no matter who they are where, they come from, how much money they have in their pocket, who they love for how the identify -- can thrive right here."
Shortly after her speech, Dixon released the following statement around 9 a.m.
"I called Governor Whitmer this morning to concede and wish her well," Dixon wrote.
"Michigan’s future success rests not in elected officials or government, but all of us. It is incumbent upon all of us to help our children read, support law enforcement, and grow our economy," she continued.
"Thank you to our volunteers and supporters for working so hard to forge a better Michigan. We came up short, but we will never stop fighting for our families."
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