LANSING, Mich. — The governor's job follows a career of public service for Gretchen Whitmer.
Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander -- born in Lansing in 1971, her father a health insurance executive, and her mother an attorney in the state prosecutor's office.
She grew up in Grand Rapids, graduating from Forest Hills Central High School.
From there she attended Michigan State University, earning a bachelor's degree in 1993, and graduating from MSU Law School in 1998.
After graduation, she worked at a Lansing law firm.
In 2000, at 29 years old, Whitmer won her first race -- a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
During her freshman term, Whitmer took care of her mother at the end of her life, as she fought cancer, while also giving birth to her first child.
She served three terms in the state House and then two terms in the state Senate, including a stint as the senate democratic leader. It was there she helped expand health coverage to more than 600,000 people through the Healthy Michigan plan.
In 2016, Whitmer took over the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office, after long-time Prosecuting Attorney Stuart Dunnings was arrested on prostitution charges. She filled out the remainder of his term, which expired on Dec. 31, 2016.
Three days later, she announced she would run for governor.
Whitmer lives in East Lansing with her husband, dentist Dr. Marc Mallory, her daughters, Sherry and Sydney, and stepsons Alex, Mason and Winston. She plans to move her family into the governor's residence in Lansing this month.
Also taking the oath of office on Tuesday were Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, both Democrats. Nessel is Michigan's first openly gay statewide official.
