Updates About Governor

The Governor has announced new appointments and reappointments to several state boards and commissions. Below is a summary of some of the latest appointments

• Board of Chiropractic: Cecil Forbes (reappointed)

• Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing: April Davidson and Mitchell Holaly (both reappointed).

• Board of Licensed Midwifery: Sarah Andrews (succeeding Heather Robinson) and Celeste Groenenberg (reappointed).

• Board of Occupational Therapy: Cristian LaBar (reappointed).

• Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery: Ronald Bishop (reappointed).

• Board of Physical Therapy: Benjamin Eggleston (succeeding Nora Cascardo).

• Board of Psychology: Harper West and Melissa Grey (both reappointed).

Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt has officially entered the 2026 race for Michigan governor, becoming the first major party candidate to declare his candidacy.

Nesbitt has stated his campaign will have a “Michigan First” agenda, while highlighting his background as a dairy farmer, father, and advocate for small business, agriculture, law enforcement, and the Second Amendment. He also expressed strong support for President Donald Trump and pledged to prioritize Michigan families and workers.

Other Republicans, including former Attorney General Mike Cox, 2022 candidates Tudor Dixon and Kevin Rinke, U.S. Representative John James, and former House Speaker Tom Leonard, are rumored to be considering bids at this time.

Last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her “Road Ahead Address” at the Detroit Auto Show, focusing on Michigan’s economic future and the critical role of our auto industry. She highlighted bipartisan achievements, including passing over 1,400 bills, and outlined her vision for Michigan to lead the evolving “auto ecosystem,” encompassing battery factories, software companies, and advanced manufacturing.

Whitmer proposed replacing expiring economic tools like the bipartisan job fund and road bonding plan with innovative initiatives such as a “Make it in Michigan” job fund, tax incentives for hiring Michigan workers, and investments in housing, transit, and infrastructure. She emphasized collaboration with both state and national leaders to secure Michigan’s position as an auto industry leader and safeguard its economy from global competition.

Additional insight on Whitmer’s goals for the 103rd legislature will be revealed in February during her State of the State Address and presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Executive Budget Recommendations.