Michigan gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer wants UAW members to know that she “is excited to work with new President Gary Jones, and we have a lot of work to do.” That was her message to delegates Thursday on the closing day of the 37th Constitutional Convention.

A lifetime Michigander, Whitmer has been on the front lines fighting for working people in Michigan for a long time. In 2012 when Rick Snyder, the current governor, locked union members, community activists and supporters out of the state Capitol building in Lansing to pass “right to work” legislation, she opened the doors of the Capitol and led the opposition from inside her office.

Whitmer pledged to fight policies that have left Michigan roads in shambles, subjected residents to environmental threats and poisoned water, and keep Michigan drivers replacing tires and windshields because of potholes and crumbling roads.

“We have faced attack after attack,” Whitmer said. “Whether it was the crusade against our right to collectively bargain or cutting unemployment from 26 weeks to 20 weeks or attacks on public sector workers or state employees, or even last week, another attack on prevailing wage.”

Electing the Whitmer team, she added, is the right choice for working families to reverse the attacks. “We are in this together and when we stand together, we are unbeatable.”