In the state of Michigan, a countdown to the 2026 election has begun.
This election will determine the successor of the current Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.
The countdown currently stands at 590 days.
According to RedState, it is crucial to remember the impact of the Whitmer administration, particularly the damage caused by the Democrats. This is especially important for those who are not politically inclined but need to be aware of the consequences of the Democrats' actions. The aim is to ensure that these issues remain at the forefront of people's minds, particularly for those undecided voters leading up to the election.
Governor Whitmer's tenure has been marked by several controversies. Despite her recent attempts at bipartisan cooperation, such as her meeting with former President Trump, her administration has been fraught with issues. One of the most significant controversies was her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly her executive orders which were widely criticized.
The COVID-19 pandemic and Whitmer's executive orders were a disaster, according to RedState. In 2021, investigative journalist Charlie LeDuff, in collaboration with the Mackinac Center, uncovered shocking information about the underreporting of nursing home deaths during the pandemic. Their investigation revealed that the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) was not thoroughly scrubbing vital records to determine whether people who died of Covid were nursing home residents, as its own guidelines require.
The investigation also found that the DHHS had conducted a limited review of vital records last summer, and found that 44 percent could be traced to nursing homes. However, the DHHS has since abandoned the practice of thoroughly scrubbing records because it is considered too time-consuming.
This revelation is significant as it contradicts the state officials' claims that all their decisions were based on science and data. The closures and restrictions implemented in Michigan were supposed to be based on the best data possible. However, LeDuffs investigation, as reported by Deadline Detroit, revealed that the state audited 1,468 death records from March to June of 2020, and of those, 648 deaths were traced back to long-term care facilities. If this 44% average is applied to the near 7,000 other vital records deaths recorded, it would equate to close to another 3,000 deaths for those in care facilities.
In addition to the controversy surrounding her handling of the pandemic, Whitmer is also facing criticism for delaying the setup of a special election for the Michigan Senate. This delay could potentially make her last days in office challenging. After a Democrat resigned their seat, the Senate is now led by the party 19 to 18. If a Republican were to win the seat, it would result in a 19 to 19 tie, and with the GOP-led house, Whitmer would be in a precarious position.
The seat in question has remained vacant for 11 weeks, and political leaders are still waiting for Whitmer to set dates for a special election to fill the opening. This delay is the longest Whitmer has taken to schedule a special election for a seat in the state Legislature during her six years as governor, according to the conservative political group the Michigan Freedom Fund. Whitmer's office has not responded to multiple requests from The Detroit News this week asking about the governor's handling of the vacancy.
Despite the controversies surrounding Whitmer's administration, there is hope for the Republican party in the upcoming election. Several potential GOP candidates have expressed interest in running for Governor, including former Michigan Governor Candidate Tudor Dixon and Michigan GOP Congressman. The hope is that a Republican can take the Governor's mansion on Jan 1, 2027. The countdown continues, and the work to ensure a Republican victory begins.
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