Whitmer declares victory: ‘Michigan’s future is bright’

Flanked by Democratic legislative leaders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist reconvened at the Motor City Casino in Detroit early Wednesday morning to deliver a victory speech for an election that surpassed Democrats’ own expectations.

“Holding this office has been the honor of my life,” Whitmer said. “I’m so grateful to have this opportunity for the last four years. This victory reminds us all that our governor’s office does not belong to any person or political party. It belongs to all of us, the people of Michigan.”

The Governor did not take questions from the press at the event. Republican Tudor Dixon has yet to formally concede in the gubernatorial election. With 85% of the vote counted, Whitmer had a lead of about 350,000 votes at the time of publication.

“As we think about the historic nature of yesterday, we know that this is a moment where people have reaffirmed that focusing on the fundamentals, building a Michigan where every person can get ahead is what really matters right now more than ever,” Whitmer said in prepared remarks.

They didn’t explicitly claim Democrats would be controlling the legislature in 2023, though legislative leaders were on hand. The Associated Press, which MLive relies on to call races, has not determined either legislative will be controlled by Democrats, but Lansing insider publications Gongwer and MIRS have both projected Democrats will have majorities in both chambers.

Related: Democrats could take control of both the Michigan Senate and House

With the reelection of Justice Richard Bernstein to the Michigan Supreme Court, it would mean Democrats would have control of all three branches of state government.

“This is something that we all do together and this victory belongs to all of us,” Gilchrist said at the press conference. “It belongs to every Michigander who made their voice heard in this unprecedented election, this record-making decision-making process that we all just went through.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Read more from MLive:

Gretchen Whitmer is reelected governor, defeating Tudor Dixon

Proposal 1: Voters pass plan to shorten term limits, require politicians to disclose finances

Slotkin wins tight race in the 7th Congressional District

Michiganders pass Proposal 2, amending the state constitution to expand voting rights

Election takeaways: No sweep for the Republicans after all

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