Early, often and unequivocally: How Whitmer’s fight for abortion rights helped turn Michigan blue

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI
Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed legislation that repealed a law requiring women to purchase a separate insurance rider if they intend to receive an abortion in the future. The law had been passed by Michigan’s Republican-controlled Legislature exactly 10 years ago. Whitmer was a state senator at the time and spoke out against the bill. She delivered a speech before its passage on the Senate floor revealing publicly for the first time that she had been raped. Abortion rights are now enshrined in the state’s Constitution and Democrats control all levels of state government. Whitmer hopes to continue fighting for abortion rights in 2024 by supporting federal candidates across the country.