With the Governor’s keynote address and the historic female candidates for the state Supreme Court, this week, girls ran the world
LANSING — This week, in every branch of government, our state’s female Democratic leaders were taking center stage in the news. Governor Whitmer announced a new Democratic agenda, The Gander highlighted judicial candidates Kimberly Ann Thomas and Kyra Harris Bolden, and Senator Debbie Stabenow was honored at the Mackinac Policy Conference for her trailblazing career and lifelong dedication to public service.
Executive: At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Governor Whitmer highlighted Dems’ upcoming policy goals to improve Michigan’s housing market and energy costs all while encouraging innovators to start here and stay here. With millions in funding to be invested across the state, innovators will build legacies that will benefit Michigan for generations to come.
Judicial: As November inches closer, The Gander interviewed state Supreme Court candidates Harris Bolden and Thomas about their impressive backgrounds. Harris Bolden is the first Black woman on the state Supreme Court and is now running to keep that spot and continue to make history. For Thomas, she has been a champion of civil rights as a reporter, an attorney, and a university professor and now she hopes to bring that expertise to the state Court.
Legislative: Finally, Senator Debbie Stabenow was recognized at the Mackinac Policy Conference for her more than three decades of service to Michigan. She has faithfully represented Michiganders since 1991, and we couldn’t be more proud of everything she has accomplished in her historic career.
Even in a shortened week after Memorial Day, these powerful women exemplified the best parts of Michigan: innovation, justice, and passion for serving others.
Check out more from this week below:
Executive Branch:
At the Mackinac Policy Conference, Governor Whitmer delivered the keynote address to announce Michigan Dems’ policy goals for the future: housing, energy, and innovation. These bold goals will lower costs across the board for hard-working Michigan families while encouraging innovators here and across the country to bring their ideas to Michigan.
These opportunities would set Michigan up for success for generations to come with affordable housing and a growing economy that supports new entrepreneurs:
Michigan Advance: Whitmer announces housing and energy affordability plans to drive down cost of living in Michigan
- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced at the Mackinac Policy Conference that her administration is moving the goalpost to increase its 2026 goal of building or rehabbing 75,000 units of affordable housing by September 2026 to 115,000…
- The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) will heading up the new energy efficiency funding programs and Department Director Phil Roos said the program will be available to families this time next year.
Judicial:
With two open seats on the Michigan Supreme Court, the stakes of this election are higher than ever as Michigan is the only state the GOP could flip to a conservative majority. The Michigan Executive Committee’s endorsed candidates Kyra Harris Bolden and Kimberly Ann Thomas are pillars of fairness with extensive experience in law. Both women center their campaigns in justice and integrity, two vital qualities given the all too common partisan attacks on our fundamental freedoms:
The Gander: Kyra Harris Bolden pledges justice ‘without fear or favor’ on Michigan Supreme Court
- Kyra Harris Bolden made history as the first Black woman to take a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court. And this year, she’s trying to keep her spot on the bench—and achieve another first as the first Black woman to be elected to the Court…
- As a former member of the state House of Representatives, and the only justice with legislative experience, Bolden is openly pro-choice and pro-labor. She also crafted (and passed) five bipartisan bills focused on criminal justice reform and protecting survivors or sexual violence.
The Gander: Kimberly Ann Thomas promises ‘new voice of fairness’ for Michigan Supreme Court
- In an exclusive interview with The ‘Gander, Thomas said voters can trust her to make sound legal decisions on the state’s highest court—entirely free of any public or political influence…
- Thomas’ experience representing low-income Michiganders and teaching students legal ethics will help “bring a new voice of integrity and fairness” to the state Supreme Court and ensure “access to justice and that each litigant is heard and respected,” her campaign website states.
Legislative:
After more than 30 years representing Michiganders, Senator Debbie Stabenow was honored by the Mackinac Policy Conference for her dedication to service. As a state Representative, state Senator, and national Senator, Stabenow has steadfastly protected Michiganders’ rights and fought for working families at every turn:
We are proud of all the hard-working women in the Michigan Dems, and we are always happy to see them get well-deserved recognition. Til next week.
Signing off,
Michigan Dems
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