New leaders are sworn in to serve Michigan through 2022, and maybe through 2026 if they impress enough voters.
Gretchen Whitmer: "." (Twitter photo from her feed)
Oaths were taken outside the Capitol in Lansing on a damp, 28-degree morning by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Atty. Gen. Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson -- the first time Democrats hold all top elected offices since James Blanchard began his governorship 36 years ago.
Gilchrist is Michigan's first African American lieutenant governor and Nessel is the state's first openly gay statewide official.
Three of the 47-year-old governor's predecessors -- Blanchard, Jennifer Granholm and Rick Snyder -- were among first-row podium guests on the Capitol steps, with John Engler notably absent. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also was seated among dignitaries.
The text of Granholm's inaugural address isn't on the state website, which still showed Snyder as governor more than an hour after her swearing-in. The updated page is now online.
These excerpts from her "Building Bridges Together" speech are from coverage and live tweets by Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News:
"It is an incredible honor to address you as the 49th governor of the great state of Michigan. . . .
"“We may belong to different parties, but we are all here today for the same reason. We are proud Michiganders, first and foremost."
"We might live in divisive times, but Michigan’s problems are not partisan problems. Potholes are not political. . . None of us can afford to compromise Michigan's economic future because we won't compromise with each other. . . I will be a governor for everyone.
"At a time when people are interested in building walls, we here in Michigan are going to get back to building bridges together. . . . Let's get to work, Michigan."
Whitmer and Gilchrist are guests of honor Tuesday night at "an evening of music, food and fun in Detroit" -- a three-hour inaugural gala in Cobo Center for $150 ticket holders. The dress code is black-tie optional.
Related coverage today:
Viewers Tell Michigan Inaugural Broadcasters: Shut Up During Speeches
