When it comes to our nation, to Michigan, to Detroit, what truly matters is the bottom line. It’s about those issues that hit closest to home—the ones that touch our lives every single day. Governor Gretchen ‘Big Gretch’ Whitmer calls them the “kitchen table issues,” the things we talk about when we’re sitting down to balance the budget, figure out how to pay for groceries, or worry about our loved ones’ health. And, on her journey to the highest office in the land, Vice President Kamala Harris seems to stand on that same foundation.
Governor Whitmer made that clear Thursday night during her remarks at the Democratic National Convention. With passion and purpose, she painted a vivid picture of how out of touch former President Donald Trump is with the struggles everyday Americans face. She wasn’t just delivering a speech; she was telling the truth as she sees it—one that resonates deeply with those of us living paycheck to paycheck, trying to make sure our families are cared for.
Whitmer shared her personal story about being part of the “sandwich generation.” She wasn’t just another politician talking in soundbites—she was talking about real life. At 29, she was raising a newborn while caring for her mother, who was battling brain cancer. “At 29, I joined the sandwich generation, sandwiched between working and raising my newborn and caring for my mom, who was dying from brain cancer,” Whitmer said “It was hard, but not extraordinary. It’s life. “Those nights reminded me who I was fighting for, people just trying to make it. Kamala Harris knows who she’s fighting for too. She took care of her mom, who also battled cancer. As President, she’ll fight to lower the cost of health care and elder care for every family. She’s lived a life like ours. She knows us.” It’s something a lot of us know too well: balancing the demands of work, family, and the constant worry of taking care of our elders. Whitmer’s story isn’t extraordinary in Detroit—it’s just life. And that’s what makes it so powerful. She made it clear that Kamala Harris knows this life too. Harris cared for her own mother, who fought cancer, while also climbing the ranks in a demanding career. She’s lived what everyday people lived.
That’s why Whitmer is stumping for Harris—because Harris gets it. Harris knows what it means to juggle responsibilities while worrying about how to afford the rising cost of health care, elder care, and the basic necessities of life. She knows who she’s fighting for, because she’s fought those same battles herself.
It’s that stark contrast between Harris and Trump that Whitmer highlighted so powerfully. “… One day, when you’re just trying to get everyone out the door, a news alert goes off. Something happened, something hit the fan,” she said. “You’ll ask, ‘is my family going to be okay?’ And then you’ll ask, ‘who the hell is in charge?’ What if it’s him? What if it’s that man from Mar-a-Lago?” Whitmer didn’t mince words as she mentioned that he’s never had to take items out of a grocery cart because he couldn’t afford them. He probably doesn’t even know what it’s like to walk through the aisles of a grocery store without a chauffeur. Whitmer joked that his first word was probably “chauffeur,” a clever jab that speaks volumes about just how disconnected Trump is from the lives of regular folks like us. For many of us in Detroit, that’s just not a reality we can relate to. We know what it’s like to have to make tough decisions at the checkout line.
Whitmer’s criticism of Trump wasn’t just about his policies or his rhetoric; it was about his inability to understand what it means to struggle. As Michiganders, as Detroiters, we know what it’s like to fight for everything we have. Trump’s dismissiveness, like when he referred to Whitmer as “the woman from Michigan” during the pandemic, shows his disdain for those who aren’t part of his elite circle. But as Whitmer said, being a woman from Michigan is a badge of honor. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience that defines so many of us, especially the women who hold Detroit down, day in and day out.
That strength is what keeps us going through uncertain times. And these times are nothing if not uncertain. From the pandemic to an attempted kidnapping plot against Whitmer to the attack on the Capitol on January 6th, it’s clear that the road ahead is anything but predictable. But as Whitmer said, in moments of crisis, we need a steady hand at the helm. Kamala Harris has proven that she’s more than capable of being that steady hand.
Whitmer’s speech was short, but it was packed with urgency. She reminded us that while we don’t know exactly what the next four years will look like, we need someone who can bring us together in a time of crisis—someone who knows what it’s like to worry about your family’s safety and future. And she made it clear that Kamala Harris is that someone. Harris isn’t just a politician. She’s someone who has walked the walk, who has faced the same struggles we face, and who knows what it’s going to take to make things better for all of us.
For those of us in Detroit, this election is personal. Michigan is once again a key battleground state, and every vote is going to count. The issues at stake—from health care to jobs to the future of our democracy—are ones that we deal with every day. And when it comes to those kitchen table issues, we need leaders who understand what we’re going through, not just in theory but because they’ve lived it. That’s what makes Whitmer’s endorsement of Harris so powerful. It’s not just about party loyalty—it’s about choosing someone who is going to fight for us, because she’s fought the same battles.
Detroit has always been a city of fighters. From the labor struggles that helped define workers’ rights across the country to the civil rights movements that pushed for justice and equality, this city has never backed down from a fight. And now, with so much on the line in this election, we have to ask ourselves: who is really going to fight for us?
For Whitmer, the answer is clear. Kamala Harris knows who she’s fighting for. She’s seen the struggle firsthand. She’s been in the trenches, and she’s not afraid to keep fighting for what’s right. According to Whitmer, Trump, on the other hand, is someone who has never had to worry about the bottom line because he’s always had someone else to do it for him. Whitmer made it clear: if it’s Trump, we’re in trouble. But if it’s Harris, we have a chance.
Whitmer called on the people to reflect deeply as we approach this pivotal election. As we head into this crucial election, Detroiters have a choice to make. Do we want someone who has lived our struggles and is ready to fight for us? Or do we want someone who’s never had to worry about what it’s like to take care of an ailing parent, pay for groceries, or keep a roof over their head? For Whitmer, for many of us, the choice is clear. Kamala Harris is the leader who will stand with us in the fight for a better future—because she’s been fighting those same fights her whole life.
This election is about more than just political affiliation. It’s about choosing someone who understands the real issues that affect our lives every day. It’s about the bottom line. And when it comes to that, Whitmer believes that Kamala Harris is the only candidate who knows what it’s going to take to move us forward.
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