2018 Voter Guide: Governor’s Race
Read up on the candidates for the governor of Michigan before you head to the polls.
Michigan voters will be electing a new governor on Nov. 6. Learn more about the candidates’ backgrounds, stances and what they hope to accomplish in office.
Bill Schuette – R
- Age: 64
- Elected Experience: Michigan Attorney General, 2011-Present; Michigan Senate, 35th District, 1995-2002; Michigan House of Representative, 10th District, 1985-1991
- Other Experience: Michigan Court of Appeals, 4th District, 2003-2009; Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture, 1991-1994
- Education: Georgetown University, University of Aberdeen Scotland, University of San Francisco School of Law
- Campaign Website: Bill Schuette for Governor
- Twitter: @SchuetteOnDuty
- Facebook: Bill Schuette
- Special Info: Endorsed by Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Michigan Farm Bureau and more.
DETROIT JOURNALISM COOPERATIVE INTERVIEW:
Gretchen Whitmer
- Age: 46
- Elected Experience: Michigan Senate, 23rd District, 2006-2015; Michigan House of Representatives, 69th District, 2003-2006; Michigan House of Representatives, 70th District, 2001-2003
- Other Experience: Michigan Senate Minority Leader, 2011-2015; Ingham County Prosecutor
- Education: Michigan State University
- Campaign Website: Gretchen Whitmer for Governor
- Twitter: @GretchenWhitmer
- Facebook: GretchenWhitmer
- Special Info: Endorsed by Michigan Association of Police Organizations, The Regional Detroit Chamber, former Chair of the Michigan Republican Party Mel Larsen and more.
DETROIT JOURNALISM COOPERATIVE INTERVIEW:
WDET COVERAGE
Prepare to Vote: Candidate Gretchen Whitmer [VIDEO, TRANSCRIPT], July 19, 2018
Third Party Candidates
Bill Gelineau – L
- Age: 59
- Experience: Owner and Licensed title examiner for Abacus Title & Escrow Group, LLC, restaurant owner
- Education: University of Michigan, Wayne State University
- Campaign Website: Liberty4Gov.org
- Twitter: @BillGelineau
- Facebook: Gelineau4Governor
- Special Info: Former chairman of the Libertarian Party of Michigan
When asked by WDET in August, “If you were governor, how would you improve Michigan’s education?”:
“…Where is the money going to come from? I’ve actually advocated a budget that doesn’t require large increases, but actually makes better priority choices, the first of which is the destruction of what is called the [Michigan] Strategic Fund, which is a large part of the Michigan budget. I’ll just give you one program that really irks me, and that’s Pure Michigan. I’ve referred to that as ‘Pure B.S.’ What we’re talking about is chamber of commerce stuff, where the ordinary taxpayers who may be struggling to put food on the table or just get to their jobs are forced to pay into this account, which is designed to attract people to the lakeshore or Grand Rapids or anywhere else. It’s just simply not a function of government. I think that redirecting some of those moneys into more important priorities, like schools, that’s where the money comes from. There’s a lot more there, by the way, up to $1 billion that I believe can be saved.”
WDET COVERAGE:
CITIZENDETROIT VIDEO:
Todd Schleiger – US Taxpayers
- Age: N/A
- Experience: Owner/operator of Home Power Source LLC,
- Education: N/A
- Campaign Website: SchleigerforGoverner2018.com
- Twitter:@ToddSchleiger
- Facebook: SchleigerforGovernor2018
Todd Schleiger was unavailable for a video interview with CitizenDetroit.
Jennifer Kurland – Green Party
- Age: 37
- Experience: Former branch manager at Huntington National Bank, former president and treasurer of Redford Union School Board, former canvasser and field manager for Clean Water Action
- Education: Associates degree from Schoolcraft College, Bachelor’s degree in political science and public affairs from Wayne State University
- Campaign Website: Kurland4Michigan.gov
- Twitter: @Kurland4MI
- Facebook: Kurland4MI
Jennifer Kurland was unavailable for a video interview with CitizenDetroit.
Keith Butkovich – Natural Law
- Age: 34
- Experience: N/A
- Education: N/A
- Campaign Website: N/A
- Twitter: N/A
- Facebook: ButkovichforGovernor
Keith Butkovich was unavailable for a video interview with CitizenDetroit.
