File photo Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

LANSING, Mich. - On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her final keynote address as governor at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. She recounted her commitment to working across the aisle to deliver for Michiganders, from fixing the damn roads and investing in education to winning a new fighter mission at Selfridge and creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs in Michigan. She also talked about her approach to leadership, outlined her priorities for the rest of the year, and called on Michiganders to work together, find common ground, and “Choose Michigan.”

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has worked across the aisle to get things done. She has signed almost 1,600 bipartisan bills and seven balanced, bipartisan budgets into law, delivering real change on the kitchen table issues that matter to Michigan families.

“Since day one, I’ve been laser focused on working with anyone to make a difference in Michiganders’ lives,” said Governor Whitmer. “That approach has helped us get a lot done in Michigan. We fixed the damn roads, created tens of thousands of good-paying jobs, cut over $1 billion in taxes, and built a strong foundation for the next generations. This year, let’s keep moving forward on our priorities and work together to build more homes, drive down costs, and help every child read. Let’s choose Michigan and set an example for the rest of the nation on how to overcome division and build a bright future.”