Whitmer to be sworn in as Michigan's 49th Governor

Governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer will be sworn in as Michigan's 49th governor on Jan. 1. The ceremony, including the oath of office, will take place outside of the Capitol building in Lansing starting at 10:30 a.m. The theme is “Building Bridges Together,” underscoring the Governor-elect’s commitment to working with a diverse group of stakeholders on the issues most important to Michigan citizens.

Lieutenant Governor-elect Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State-elect Jocelyn Benson, Attorney General-elect Dana Nessel and members of the Michigan Supreme Court, Michigan Court of Appeals, State Board of Education, University of Michigan Board of Regents, Michigan State University Board of Trustees, and Wayne State Board of Governors who were elected Nov. 6 will take their oaths of office during the ceremony.

The ceremony will begin with a musical performance by the 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard. Other highlights include recognition of tribal nations, a parade of flags, an invocation by Rabbi Amy Bigman of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, a 19-Gun Salute by the 119th Field Artillery, a flyover by the Michigan Air National Guard and prayers by Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr. of Triumph Church and Imam Sheik Ahmad Hammoud of Islamic Center of America.

The ceremony is open to the public and free; it is not necessary to register. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and assemble on the east lawn of the Capitol. Parking will be available at multiple locations.
Detroit Public Television will provide a live feed from 11 a.m. to noon.

The celebration will then move to Detroit with a black-tie optional event at Cobo Center from 7-10 p.m. This is open to the public, tickets are required.

The Governor-elect and Lieutenant Governor-elect will host a series of free community “Whitmer Winter Warm-up” events in the following weeks. RSVPs can be submitted at michiganinaugural.org where a full list of inaugural events can be found.

All events will be paid for through private donations and ticket sales.