Governor Gretchen Whitmer: The Issue That Could Destroy Her Candidacy If She Ever Runs for President

ELLE Magazine recently published an article entitled “Gretchen Whitmer Is Leading Boldly in Challenging Times.” Kayla Webley Addler, its author, is the Deputy Editor of ELLE magazine. According to the magazine’s website, “she edits cover stories, profiles, and narrative features on politics, culture, crime, and social trends. Previously, she worked as the Features Director at Marie Claire magazine and as a Staff Writer at TIME magazine.”

The article mentions some of the challenges Governor Whitmer faced throughout life and her legislative accomplishments. However, From The G-Man read the following section and found it deeply disturbing.

“Everyone watches to see how she will wield the slim Democratic majority the midterm elections handed her party in the state legislature. “We flipped both chambers; it was a really incredible thing. It’s only happened four times in 130 years in Michigan,” she says. “But with that comes an immense responsibility to show that when Democrats lead, we make people’s lives better.” She plans to focus on improving the state’s infrastructure (as a candidate in 2018, she made a splash by promising “to fix the damn roads”), growing the economy, and making Michigan a safe haven for people seeking reproductive care. (Whitmer was early to the abortion fight; a month before the Dobbs decision leaked, she filed a lawsuit challenging the state’s 1931 law banning abortion. A judge ruled the law unconstitutional in September; Michigan voters went on to approve an amendment in November guaranteeing the right to abortion in the state’s constitution.)

“As she works to accomplish her goals, she’ll have the support of her fellow Democratic women state governors whose numbers are slowly increasing (yes, they have a group chat). And as always, she’ll lean on the lessons instilled in her by the women who raised her. When she was sworn in for a second term in January, she wore a bright fuchsia coat.”

The article clearly indicates that Whitmer has always been and continues to be a staunch defender of women’s rights, but what From The G-Man found deeply disturbing was the fact that the author did not question Whitmer about the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility (WHV) or its record of complaints regarding alleged health and safety violations and sexual harassment by male officers. The complaints were filed by prisoners, and a number of mainstream and independent news outlets published reports about the conditions at WHV. Moreover, civil rights organizations in the state called on Whitmer to investigate the facility and meet with prisoners who were allegedly abused, assaulted or sickened as a result of mold and other toxins.  

From The G-Man, with the assistance of Prison Radio, began reporting on the situation at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility in 2021. The reports, which included the suicide of  Shikisha Monet Tidmore, were shared with the office of Governor Whitmer, and efforts were made to obtain comments on the allegations and complaints. To date, there has been no response from Whitmer or her spokesperson. From The G-Man was recently informed that another prisoner committed suicide at WHV. 

Continued Neglect at WHV

By Tommy Phan, Prison Radio Staff

It is with great sadness that we report on the tragic death of Angela Renee McConnell, a 39-year-old Juvenile Lifer Without Parole inmate at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility in Washtenaw County, Michigan. What makes this extra tragic was that Angela was the last woman in Michigan sentenced to life without parole for a crime committed while she was a juvenile.

Krystal Clark called and reported that Angela, who was a kind and caring person, took her own life last week after reporting to guards and fellow inmates that she was going to hang herself. Despite her cries for help, nothing was done.

Krystal Clark Commentary (Courtesy of Prison  Radio)

Click on the white arrow in the audio bar to listen to Ms. Clark’s statements. Click here to review the transcript.

According to prison officials, McConnell was found hanging in her cell on Friday, February 24th, and was pronounced dead two days later. Michigan State Police are currently investigating her death.

McConnell’s case has been a tragic one, as she was eligible to be re-sentenced as a juvenile lifer, but she was still pursuing her claim of innocence through the courts.

McConnell’s death highlights the urgent need for an investigation into the conditions at the Huron Valley Women’s Correctional Facility. This is one of many recent suicides at WHV, the previous being a 30 year old woman named Shikisha Monet Tidmore who passed in September, 2022.

We urge Governor Gretchen Whitmer to take swift action and ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted into McConnell’s death. The mistreatment of inmates cannot be tolerated. We must continue to shine a bright hot light onto the darkness behind these prison walls. Our thoughts and prayers go out to McConnell’s family during this difficult time. We stand with them and with all those who have been impacted by the inhumane treatment of inmates.