350 Days Without a Voice

Lansing, MI – Today marks 350 days that the people of Michigan’s 35th state Senate District will have had no voice on important issues. They had no seat at the table during negotiations over this year’s state budget and a new roads plan.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer refused to call a special election in the vacant seat for months. She only bowed to public pressure when the issue became national, taking the lead from the Wall Street Journal rather than the people of Michigan. 

Even now, Michiganders in the 35th District will have to wait until May to be represented as a consequence of Whitmer’s inaction.

“Gretchen Whitmer has shown time and time again that the people of Michigan simply are not her top priority,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “This year was full of important legislation and discussions, but Whitmer refused to give 270,000 Michiganders a seat at the table.”