Gretchen Whitmer wins Democratic nomination for Michigan governor

(WJBK) - Gretchen Whitmer has won the Democratic nomination for Michigan governor, besting two competitors to advance to the November race to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Rick Snyder. 

Whitmer, a former legislative leader, defeated chemical-testing businessman Shri Thanedar and ex-Detroit health director Abdul El-Sayed in Tuesday's primary. She will face Attorney General Bill Schuette who defeated Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, state Sen. Patrick Colbeck and Dr. Jim Hines in the GOP primary. 

"It's time clean up our drinking water and improve our skills through better education and skills training," Whitmer said. "It's time to make affordable all our health care so everyone gets covered. It's time to repeal the retirement tax and yes, to fix the damn roads."

For more Michigan primary results go here.

Whitmer was considered the favorite because of her political experience and broad support from organized labor and other key groups. El-Sayed especially courted the party's more liberal, pro-Bernie Sanders wing, as did Thanedar, who spent millions of dollars of his own money on his campaign. 

The Michigan governorship is a top target for the Democratic Party.