She’s Abroad. We’re Left Behind.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is brazenly abusing her power to keep control of the Michigan Senate, refusing to call a special election for the 35th State Senate District and silencing more than 270,000 Michiganders who deserve a voice in Lansing. This isn’t leadership—it’s a shameless political stunt.

Whitmer has now shattered records, waiting over 75 days and counting to fill a Senate seat—a delay longer than any Michigan governor in at least 30 years and four administrations. Instead of doing her job, she’s intentionally holding democracy hostage to protect a thin, 19-18 Democrat majority.

And while Michigan voters are left without a voice, Governor Whitmer is halfway around the world, focused on building her political brand instead of doing her job.

Rather than serving the people of Michigan, Whitmer spent her time on a taxpayer-funded “Middle East Investment Tour” that looked more like a luxury PR campaign than an economic mission. Her entourage included 20 staffers, MEDC employees, and community figures like Osama Siblani-a known Hezbollah sympathizer—while the governor herself signed an agreement with Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, an Iran-linked figure reportedly involved in money-laundering operations to skirt U.S. sanctions.

All this while enjoying fine dining, desert safaris, and photo ops at luxury destinations. The known price tag? $176,232.64-and that’s just what the MEDC disclosed. Because Whitmer’s office is exempt from public records laws, taxpayers may never know the full cost.

Now, she’s at it again-this time flying to the United Kingdom and Ireland on her second European trip in less than four months, all while more than 270,000 Michiganders remain without Senate representation. Whitmer is globe-trotting on the public’s dime while neglecting her most basic constitutional duty: ensuring the people have a voice in their government.

This is not leadership-it’s political calculation, plain and simple.

Whitmer is holding our democracy hostage to protect her party’s grip on power. She’s dodging accountability, putting politics over people, and treating Michigan taxpayers like an afterthought while she campaigns on the international stage.

Enough is enough. Michigan deserves a governor who shows up to lead-not one who runs a shadow campaign from overseas while ignoring her constitutional responsibilities at home.

Call the election, Governor. Stop the games. Start doing your job.