Three potential Whitmer successors were in the room for her final address. They each had notes.

By: Ben Solis

Outlets: Michigan Advance

Published: February 26, 2026

Words: 1,152

Last Updated: 1 week, 6 days ago


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As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wrapped her final State of the State address on Wednesday evening, a handful of candidates who may very well be her successor were sitting in the room watching her address.

Gubernatorial hopefuls John James, Jocelyn Benson and Aric Nesbitt were all in the Michigan Senate chamber while Whitmer pitched new plans for early literacy training, expanded K-12 funding, fully-funded and full-day pre-kindergarten options, and plans to address the state’s housing crisis.

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