TEXAS TOWNSHIP, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Wednesday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer made two stops in Southwest Michigan, including Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.
The purpose of these visits was to announce her endorsement of candidates for the Michigan House of Representatives in her goal of flipping the house blue.
She was joined by State Representative Jim Haadsma in Battle Creek and County Commissioner Christine Morse in Kalamazoo. Both stops were canvass kickoff events in their respective districts.
At 1 p.m., the governor was at the Texas Township Farmers’ Market, where she announced her endorsement for Morse, a candidate for House District 61. She has served as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner since 2018 for District 9, which includes some areas of Oshtemo Township, along with Texas Township. Morse is running against Republican Bronwyn Haltom.
In addition to Haadsma and Morse, Whitmer is also endorsing Keshia Dickason, a Democratic candidate who is opting for Morse’s County Commissioner position, and Democrat Julie Rogers, who is running in District 60.
Kalamazoo County Commissioner Christine Morse in Kalamazoo during a visit from Governor Whitmer. (Photo by Jeana Gondek).
During the visit, Whitmer also visited The Cheese Lady across the street from the Farmers’ Market on West Q Avenue for a small business stop before community members and local leaders went out into the neighborhoods to canvass.
Whitmer touched on various topics, including the importance of voter education and understanding the Michigan ballot before voting.
“The lack of a national [COVID-19] strategy has impacted every single one of us, and so really understanding who’s on the ballot, what they offer, someone like Christine Morse who is coming with an agenda that is reflective of the community,” Whitmer said. “People want good schools for their children, they want to know that the water is clean and that our healthcare isn’t going to get ripped away from us. This is a very personal election for every one of us for so many reasons, and I encourage voters to get educated.”
However, Whitmer is also encouraging citizens to learn how to vote safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer makes a stop in Kalamazoo to endorse Commissioner Christine Morse for House District 61. (Photo by Jeana Gondek).
“You can go into a clerk’s office right now and cast your ballot, and not have to worry about a crush of people coming together in the midst of a pandemic on election day,” Whitmer said. “We’re encouraging voters to get that vote done, get it done quickly and get it in.”
For information on voting locally in the City of Kalamazoo, click here.
An interview with Governor Whitmer on WKZO from Wednesday morning can be heard here.
Whitmer’s visit comes after Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist visited Kalamazoo last Friday, also for the purposes of endorsing Haadsma and Morse.
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