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Gretchen Whitmer: “After a stint as a county prosecutor, I ran for governor in…”

Featuring: Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic | Governor of Michigan

2026 Michigan State of the State

Published February 26, 2026 | Video Starts at 52:12

I loved my time as a legislator. I made friends on both sides of the aisle. People who believed deeply in the work we did and wanted the very best for Michigan. After a stint as a county prosecutor, I ran for governor in 2018 to fix the damn roads. And a lot of other stuff too. I've been to all 83 counties many times. I've met Michiganders on the front line of every problem. (52:12–52:18)

CLAIM

Asserts that Gretchen Whitmer ran for governor in 2018 with a focus on fixing roads.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

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Gretchen Whitmer

“More people moved into Michigan from other states than out for the first time since the early 90s.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:57-14:05
“Tariffs have jacked up prices, costing families an average of 1000 bucks a year.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 14:43-14:49
“Last year America had its worst manufacturing trade deficit ever, while China clocked their highest trade surplus ever, $1.2 trillion.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 14:56-15:08
“Just one in five homes today are sold to first time home buyers. That is an all time low.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 26:15-26:23
“The median age of a first time homebuyer is 40. That's a record high.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 26:23-26:30
“The average income of first time home buyers is $97,000, also an all time high.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 26:30-26:39
“Tariffs have raised the cost of a house by upwards of 17 grand, further exacerbating our housing shortage.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 27:47-27:54
“Mental health finally covered equally to physical health by law, making Michigan the first state to get that done.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:43-34:52
“No child goes hungry in Michigan schools because all 1.4 million public school students get free breakfast and lunch.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 43:56-44:08
“We're the first state to ever restart a nuclear power plant.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:05-49:10
“For the first time in nearly 70 years, Detroit's population grew.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:25-49:29
“Wages and GDP are up.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:39-13:42
“Crime and overdose deaths are down.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:41-13:45
“Pre K school meals and community colleges are all free.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:44-13:48
“Taxes on retirement tips, overtime and Social Security gone.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:48-13:53
“We fixed more roads, built more homes and replaced more lead pipes than ever.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 13:52-13:58
“Michigan is 44th in fourth grade reading 44th.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 18:13-18:20
“Every budget I've introduced, negotiated and signed these last seven years made record investments in education.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:21-19:30
“In late 2024, I signed science of Reading legislation, a statewide strategy that uses proven methods to teach reading.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:40-19:50
“Previously, our schools used over 400 different literacy teaching methods. Now we're simplifying that to what we know is most effective.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 19:54-20:05
“Soon we'll also screen every student for dyslexia, identifying kids who need extra help and ensuring that they get it.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 20:05-20:14
“Earlier this month, I signed the bills to limit phones during class time.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 20:48-20:53
“I just released my final executive budget recommendation, which included the largest targeted literacy investment in Michigan history.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 21:38-21:47
“The data tells us that students who attend pre K are far more likely to read and do math at or above grade level.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 22:27-22:37
“Michigan families have repeatedly broken records for pre K enrollment.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 22:38-22:43
“Let's fund free full day pre K for all and set every child up for success.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 22:56-23:03
“Our new science of reading law identifies students who need more support.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 23:54-23:59
“We've invested more to build housing than any administration in state history.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 28:13-28:19
“We set and smashed our goal of adding 75,000 homes a year ahead of schedule. We're at 86,000 now, on track to hit our new target of 115,000.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 28:18-28:29
“We closed our housing gap by 44% and our home ownership rate remains higher than the national average at almost 75%.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 28:29-28:39
“We helped more than 6,000 Michiganders buy their first homes last year with record setting mortgage and down payment assistance loans.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 28:46-28:55
“Michigan is the only state in our region without [a state level affordable housing tax credit].”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 29:38-29:42
“Last year the majority in Washington D.C. voted to send slash Medicaid and SNAP by a trillion dollars, ripping health care and food away…”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 32:42-32:54
“Insurers can't charge more for pre existing conditions. Young people can stay on their parents plans until they turn 26.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:24-34:32
“There are no more surprise medical bills and no caps on annual or lifetime care.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 34:37-34:43
“Last year, we wiped out medical debt for 210,000 people.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 35:22-35:28
“Federal cuts would put two and a half million Michiganders, a quarter of our population, at risk of losing their coverage.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 36:48-36:57
“Our budget protected billions in funding for core Medicaid services.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 37:07-37:12
“In 2014, as the minority leader in the Michigan Senate, I worked with Governor Snyder to expand Medicaid under the ACA.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 37:56-38:05
“This year 1 million Michigan seniors will no longer pay the retirement tax because we repealed it.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 38:57-39:04
“665,000 working families get refunds averaging 3,900 bucks because we increase the working families tax credit by 500%.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 39:16-39:22
“800,000 workers will keep more of their hard-earned paychecks because we ended state taxes on tips and overtime.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 39:21-39:43
“We raised the rainy day fund to record highs and enacted seven balanced budgets.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 40:37-40:43
“For the third year in a row, we improved our credit rating and will pay off $28 billion in debt.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 40:44-40:52
“We've replaced 70,000 lead pipes and upgraded water infrastructure statewide.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 41:22-41:28
“Since I took office, through the end of this construction season, we will have fixed 26,500 lane miles of road and almost 2,000 bridges and…”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 42:14-42:26
“Every student in every school gets the same resources because we finally closed the funding gap.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 42:54-43:00
“Every 4 year old can go to pre K for free, saving their parents for 14 grand a year.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 43:14-43:20
“Every graduate can go to their community college tuition free.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 43:26-43:32
“Every Michigander 25 and older can earn an associate's degree or certificate tuition free too.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 43:33-43:41
“Abortion is a constitutional right [in Michigan].”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:25-45:28
“Black Michiganders can wear their hair natural without discrimination.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:46-45:50
“We finally have common sense Gun violence prevention laws, background checks, safe storage, extreme risk protection order.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 45:59-46:07
“LGBTQ Michiganders are protected against discrimination in their homes and at work. By law.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 46:16-46:16
“New factories making batteries, cars, chips are opening in Marshall, Lake Orion, Holland, Bay City, Calumet, Hemlock, Ann Arbor, and Delta…”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 47:36-47:47
“A new fighter mission is coming to Selfridge Air National Guard base in Macomb County.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 47:46-47:52
“We're the first state to restore workers right to organize for better pay and benefits. In 70 years.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 48:51-48:57
“For the first time in 40 years, we opened a new veterans home.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:21-49:26
“For the first time in over a century, a new bridge connecting Michigan to Canada, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, will open.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 49:28-49:36
“In 2000, I was elected to the House.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 51:12-51:15
“I've been to all 83 counties many times.”
2026 Michigan State of the State | Uploaded February 26, 2026 | 52:19-52:22