Currently, women hold three of Michigan’s four top executive positions—governor, attorney general, and secretary of state—alongside nearly 40% of seats in the Senate, 36% in the House.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says they’re paving the way for future generations.
“Occupying space. You know, the old saying: ‘You can't be it if you can't see it,’ right? That is a part of why we're seeing more and more women have the confidence, have the interest, and have the courage to put their name on the ballot and jump in.”
National data backs the trend.
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research consistently ranks Michigan among the top states for female political leadership, while U.S. Census Bureau data ranks Michigan third for female voter turnout in national elections with nearly 70% participation.
Whitmer notes women bring a different perspective, informing policy priorities like reproductive healthcare, family leave, and education.
“In the halls of power, where it's been mostly men, these things have not had real lived-experienced people fighting to make it easier for others. So, I do think that our lived experience is different, and it helps many when there's real representation at the table.”
With the November election approaching, Whitmer is entering the final stretch of her second term, which concludes at the end of the year.
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