Gov. Gretchen Whitmer a candidate for 2020 Time Person of the Year

LANSING, MI – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is in the running for Time magazine’s Person of the Year.

Whitmer has received national attention this year, from President Donald Trump’s attacks about her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to a plot to kidnap her. She’s also been portrayed by comedians on “Saturday Night Live” and a Detroit artist featured her in a song titled, “Big Gretch.”

Trump has used Twitter to criticize Whitmer because of her executive orders at the start of the pandemic, frequently called her “that woman from Michigan.”

Whitmer hasn’t shied from responding to Trump and criticizing his leadership.

“The president has spent more energy spreading untruths about the election outcome than he has listening to health experts and protecting American people,” Whitmer said earlier this month in calling for Trump and Congress to pass another coronavirus relief bill.

The FBI said it successfully stopped the plot to kidnap Whitmer in early October. More than 12 men have been charged in connection with the plot.

Time magazine has released a list of candidates for the 2020 Person of the Year. In addition to Whitmer, nominees include Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, #EndSARS Demonstrators in Nigeria, Dr. Anthony Fauci and tennis sensation Naomi Osaka.

People can vote online, although Time editors make the final decision, which will be announced Dec. 10.