LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Governor Gretchen Whitmer pardoned a turkey on Monday, November 21 just days before Thanksgiving.
The turkey’s name, Mitch E. Gander, was submitted by Seneca of Grand Rapids and Mia of Harper Woods. The name was selected from more than 6,000 entries in the statewide contest announced last week. Mitch E. Gander is the first turkey pardoned since the governor took office.
Runner-Up Names:
- Tahquamenon Tom from Kerry, Chesterfield, and Ben in Ann Arbor
- Turcules from Jack in Brighton
- Otto Moe Beel from David in Ann Arbor
- Ryan Gobbling from Christian in Ishpeming
- Simon Fowl from Jennifer in Taylor
- Lynyrd from Dorothy, Chelsea, and Mike in Alpena
- Mack E. Gnaw from the Hayes family in Cadillac
- Roger Featherer from Joan in Kalamazoo
- Steve Thighzerman from Sean in Ypsilanti
- Tom Thanks from Sean in Ypsilanti and Elarose in Big Rapids
- Teddy Roostavelt from Michelle in Manistee