CHICAGO, MI – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told the crowd at the Democratic National Convention that Vice President Kamala Harris is approachable and reliable, unlike her billionaire opponent.
“She’s lived a life like ours. She knows us. Donald Trump doesn’t know you at all,” Whitmer said on Thursday, August 22. “Do you think he understands that you can’t come to work if your car breaks down? No. His first word was probably ‘chauffeur.'”
“Do you think he’s ever had to take items out of his cart before paying? Hell, do you think he’s ever been to a grocery store? That’s what chauffeurs are for. But Kamala Harris understands us. She sees us. She is us.”
Harris was born to immigrants; her mother was a scientist and her father was an economist.
The Democratic presidential candidate first worked as a prosecutor and later as Attorney General of California before being elected to the U.S. Senate. In August, Forbes estimated her and her husband’s net worth at around $8 million.
Former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, is the son of multimillionaire real estate developer Fred Trump. Trump took over his father’s business. Forbes estimated in August that his net worth is around $4.5 billion.
Whitmer began her remarks by referring to Trump’s dismissal as “that woman from Michigan,” which evolved into the popular slogan “that woman from Michigan” in support of Whitmer’s leadership during the pandemic.
“Being a woman from Michigan is an honor,” she said, flashing a heart sign to the crowd. “Like women across America, we simply say GSD: Get Stuff Done.”
Whitmer spoke about the events of the past four years, from a pandemic and an attempted coup to floods, fires and a plot to kidnap her.
It is unclear what the next four years will bring, she said, but life goes on – people still have to pay their bills and pick up their children.
And when a crisis occurs and people worry about the safety of their families, Whitmer said, “you ask yourself, ‘Who the hell is in charge here?'”
“I know that in a crisis, we need someone strong enough to come up with a plan, tell the truth and bring people together,” Whitmer said. “Now, before the crisis, we have a choice.”
“Why shouldn’t we elect a leader who is tough, experienced and a real go-getter? I know who I want as our Commander in Chief. America, let’s elect Kamala Harris.”
Whitmer was considered as a possible vice presidential candidate for Harris, who ultimately chose Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
The second-term governor and national Democratic figure spoke about her experiences as a 29-year-old working while raising a child and caring for her mother, who was dying of brain cancer.
“These nights reminded me who I’m fighting for: people who are just trying to make it,” Whitmer said. “Kamala Harris knows who she’s fighting for, too.”
Whitmer said Harris also cared for her mother when she was battling cancer. As president, Harris will work to reduce the cost of health care and elder care for all families, Whitmer said.
Two other Michigan residents – U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson – spoke earlier Thursday evening.
Related: Michigan sheriff in the spotlight in the 2026 gubernatorial race touts Kamala Harris’ anti-crime campaign at the DNC
Other Michigan politicians who spoke at the convention this week included Democrats such as U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a Traverse City native, U.S. Senator Gary Peters, State Attorney General Dana Nessel and Senator Mallory McMorrow.
Motown Records legend Stevie Wonder also spoke to the audience and played his classic R&B hit “Higher Ground.”
