Updates About Governor

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called for a special election to fill the vacant 35th District Senate seat, which has remained vacant since January when Kristen McDonald Rivet took office in the U.S. House of Representatives and resigned from her State Senate position. District 35 covers parts of the Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties and is considered a top battleground seat in Michigan. In the 2022 Michigan Senate election, the seat flipped when Democrat McDonald Rivet defeated Republican then-state Representative Annette Glenn with 53.4% of the vote.

Whitmer hopes the special election will yield a state senator that collaborates with her executive office to create more jobs, grow the economy, and boost literacy rates. The special primary election is to be held on February 3, 2026, with the general election to follow on May 5, 2026.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following hirings and promotions:

• Lily Wenkel was hired as executive assistant to the deputy chief of staff.
• Tom Zimicki as environment and climate policy advisor.
• Rebecca Besaw was brought on as deputy legal counsel. Besaw previously served as senior advisor Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and an attorney in the Office of the General Counsel.
• Michelle Richard was promoted from deputy director of higher education to senior literacy advisor to help oversee Michigan’s new literacy curriculum.
• Emma Young moved up to deputy director of policy after four years as the education policy advisor.
• Abrielle Matibag was promoted to public affairs specialist after previously serving as an issue specialist and executive assistant to the deputy chief of staff.
• Jada Weatherspoon, the previous House associate liaison, is now a legislative advisor.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive directive instructing the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to assist Michiganders with navigating upcoming changes to the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. This directive comes in response to a recently passed federal budget bill, which state officials worry could raise premium costs by thousands annually and create new barriers for families trying to maintain their coverage. In Michigan alone, more than 500,000 residents currently rely on Marketplace insurance.

The changes are expected to increase verification requirements for many applicants, particularly for families with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. Beginning in 2026, the open enrollment period will also be shortened by one month, giving residents less time to secure coverage. Marketplace insurance and Enhanced Premium Tax Credits have historically helped lower costs for working families, providing an average savings of about $700 annually.

Under the directive, DIFS will expand outreach during open enrollment, provide direct assistance through its consumer helpline, and connect residents with Health Insurance Navigators to discuss their options. We’ll continue to monitor how these changes may affect Michiganders. In the meantime, you may read the governor’s full executive directive for more information.