Eight years of Republican control has come to an end in Michigan. Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, the former Senate minority leader from East Lansing, defeated Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette in the race to replace outgoing Gov. Rick Snyder.
"The people have spoken and we chose hope and inclusion," Whitmer said at her victory party. "We chose respect and collaboration and we chose bridges over walls."
Whitmer's promise to protect Medicaid expansion, her calls for universal pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds, and general anger against President Trump fueled her win, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Whitmer will be Michigan's second female governor.