LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrat Gretchen Whitmer was sworn in as Michigan's 49th governor Tuesday, pledging to cast partisanship aside to fix the roads and other problems facing the state at a time of divided government.
The 47-year-old former state lawmaker from East Lansing took the oath of office in a swearing-in ceremony outside the state Capitol building.
"We might live in divisive times, but Michigan's problems are not partisan," she told a crowd of more than 1,000 onlookers. "Potholes are not political — or better skills or great schools for our kids. I will be a governor for everyone. And I am committed to working across party lines to ensure that all Michiganders have opportunity."
It was a cold but celebratory day for perhaps the most diverse political ticket in Michigan history.
Whitmer is the state's second female governor. Garlin Gilchrist II is the first black lieutenant governor. Attorney General Dana Nessel, the state's first openly gay statewide officeholder, is the first Democrat to lead office since Jennifer Granholm left 16 years ago. And Jocelyn Benson is the first Democrat to be secretary of state in two dozen years. The last time Democrats held all four of the top offices was 1987.
Also sworn in were Michigan Supreme Court justices, appellate judges and members of the State Board of Education and three university boards who won election in November.
The inaugural theme was "Building Bridges Together," a continuation of Whitmer's campaign committing to work in a bipartisan way to address the priorities most important to residents. Her speech touched on many of the same "kitchen table" issues she focused on during the race: smoothing the roads, and improving youth literacy and people's job skills.
Whitmer's predecessor, term-limited Republican Rick Snyder, was in attendance as were GOP and Democratic legislative leaders and former Govs. Granholm and Jim Blanchard, both Democrats. With a Republican-controlled Legislature and a new Democratic governor, Michigan has a divided government for the first time since 2003-10.
