Gretchen Whitmer is an American politician serving as the Governor of Michigan. She took office on January 1, 2019, after winning the gubernatorial election. A member of the Democratic Party, Whitmer previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives and as the Michigan Senate minority leader. Born on August 23, 1971, in Lansing, Michigan, Whitmer earned her degree from Michigan State University and later obtained a law degree from Detroit College of Law. As governor, she has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.