Petition to recall Michigan's Governor Whitmer gaining traction

Michigan’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has become the subject matter of a change.org petition demanding her recall in the wake of her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. As of this morning, the petition has garnered more than 150,000 online signatures.

The petition alleges that Whitmer, a Democrat, has instituted policies that have led to the furthering of the infectious disease in her state, putting more Michiganders at risk. It also cites broken campaign promises, including fixing the roads in Michigan.

The petition does not hold any legal weight, and it is unlikely that all who have remotely signed it are, in fact, residents of the state of Michigan. A legitimate recall would require the signatures of just over 1 million Michiganders.

However, the petition is a dose of bad public relations for the governor, who has gained significant national prominence over the course of the pandemic, and was reportedly shortlisted for Joe Biden’s vice presidential spot.

Whitmer was the democratic politician selected to give the response to President Trump's 2020 State of the Union address.

The governor’s most recent expansion of her lockdown order forbids any Michigander from purchasing seeds or plants.

Additionally, she has banned gatherings “of any size.” The new rules, which will hold through at least May 1, have drawn the ire of many Michigan residents, including the Republican-led Michigan State House. House Speaker Lee Chatfield called Whitmer’s order “bad for Michigan families.”