The Detroit Regional Chamber congratulates those who were sworn in on Jan. 1, which include Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II for their second terms as Michigan’s 49th governor and 94th lieutenant governor, respectively.
Supreme Court Justices Richard Bernstein, Kyra Harris Bolden, and Brian Zahra were also sworn in during the ceremony. Bolden makes history as the first Black woman to serve on Michigan’s highest court.
Newly elected members of the Michigan Legislature and U.S. Congress will begin their new terms on Jan. 11, the traditional second Wednesday of January. Among this group are Reps.-Elect Shri Thanedar (D-MI 13) and John James (D-Farmington Hills), as well as Michigan’s new legislative leaders, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Winnie Brinks, House Speaker Rep. Joe Tate, Senate Minority Leader Sen. Aric Nesbitt, and House Minority Leader Rep. Matt Hall.
Tate, a former co-chair of the Michigan Legislative Automotive Caucus led by MICHauto, is the first Black Speaker of the House in Michigan and the first Speaker from Detroit since 1998. Additionally, Brinks will be the first woman in the state’s Senate Majority Leader role.
“The Chamber stands ready to help continue to move Michigan forward,” said Brian Shoaf, Director of Government Relations for the Chamber. “We look forward to working with the new quadrant leaders, legislators, and the Governor on a bipartisan agenda that focuses on promoting economic growth, fostering equitable opportunity, and promoting civility.”
At the end of November 2022, Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, penned a letter to the Michigan quadrant leaders on suggested priorities deemed essential to achieve an equitable and prosperous business community in Michigan.