KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer says everyone has a personal stake in this election.
She made that comment during a campaign stop at the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party headquarters on South Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo on Monday, as the Biden/Harris tour bus was rolling up. The event was previewed as an “election volunteer appreciation event.”
Biden/Harris tour bus rolls into Kalamazoo (Photo courtesy of Jeana Gondek)
The governor also made stops in Grand Rapids and Benton Harbor during the “Soul of the Nation” Early Vote Bus Tour for Biden’s campaign.
A number of local democratic candidates were in attendance including 6th District Congressional candidate Jon Hoadley. “The road to every one of these victories runs right through Kalamazoo,” Hoadley said while talking about the stakes of each race, both nationally and locally.
Governor Whitmer spoke at the event wearing a Ruth Bader Ginsburg face mask. She opened by saying voters must harness the spirit of the late Supreme Court Justice. “RBG would get down and do a plank and get back to work. And that’s what we’ve got to do,” Whitmer said.
She also expressed the importance of the local races, highlighted some of the candidates in attendance, and encouraged everyone to get their absentee ballots to the local clerk’s office, register to vote, or vote in-person if needed.
Jon Hoadley speaks to supporters in Kalamazoo (Photo courtesy of Jeana Gondek)
During an interview, the governor talked more about the coronavirus pandemic and the record-setting numbers reported on Saturday with over 3,300 new cases in Michigan. “Well, it’s alarming,” Whitmer said, “this is what the scientists have been telling us that the fall was going to be inherently more dangerous.”
She said that the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision to deem her executive orders unconstitutional has caused a lot of confusion, but in the end there is still a mask mandate and limitations on gatherings through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ orders. She added that the epidemic orders will be renewed before the end of this week.
When asked about moving the state back in the reopening process, Whitmer said it’s possible that MDHHS may need to “turn the dial back.” No other details were released.
Christine Morse (Photo courtesy of Jeana Gondek)
She says if democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wins the election she hopes that stimulus dollars will come into play with the new administration to better fund education, public safety, and healthcare. She also criticized the Trump administration for holding rallies without face masks and for not taking control of the virus.
“I’m willing to work with anybody who wants to solve these problems,” Whitmer stated, “But to stick our head in the sand and say that we’re not even going to do masks tells you that we really do need more partners in Lansing.” She highlighted her endorsement for Christine Morse, candidate for district 61 in the state house.
Earlier on Monday, Governor Whitmer was in Grand Rapids for a voter mobilization event with 3rd District Congressional candidate Hillary Scholten. She then made a stop in Benton Harbor after her Kalamazoo visit to campaign with Chokwe Pitchford, the democratic candidate for the 79th district in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Also on Michigan’s campaign trail, President Trump will be making a stop in Lansing on Tuesday.
