Gretchen Whitmer's Boat: A Luxurious Vessel For Summer Escapades

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's husband, Marc Mallory, sparked controversy when he tried to get their boat in the water for Memorial Day weekend during the COVID-19 lockdown. Tad Dowker, owner of NorthShore Dock in northern Michigan, revealed in a Facebook post that Mallory asked if being married to the governor might expedite the process. While Whitmer claimed it was a failed attempt at humor, the incident fuelled criticism from Republicans, who questioned whether the governor and her family were abiding by the same rules they urged others to follow.

Gretchen Whitmer's husband, Marc Mallory, asked for his boat to be launched during lockdown

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced criticism after her husband, Marc Mallory, asked for their boat to be launched during the state's lockdown.

Whitmer had urged residents not to rush to the region, but her husband wanted their boat placed in the water before the Memorial Day weekend. Tad Dowker, the owner of a Northern Michigan dock company, said Mallory asked if being married to the governor would make a difference to the request.

In a Facebook post, Dowker wrote: "There was a gentleman on hold who wanted his boat in the water before the weekend. Being Memorial weekend and the fact that we started working three weeks late means there is no chance this is going to happen. Well, our office personnel had explained this to the man and he replied, 'I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?'".

Whitmer responded to the claims, saying her husband's comments were a "failed attempt at humor". She said: "Obviously, with the motorized boating prohibition in our early days of COVID-19, he thought it might get a laugh. It didn't. And to be honest, I wasn't laughing either when it was relayed to me, because I knew how it would be perceived. He regrets it. I wish it wouldn't have happened. And that's really all we have to say about it".

The governor also confirmed that Mallory had travelled from Lansing to their second home in Antrim County, but said she and her daughters had remained in Lansing. She said: "My husband did go up to our place in Antrim County and raked some leaves and came home. So he was there. We did not all pile in the car to go enjoy our second home, although that would have been permitted".

Tad Dowker, owner of NorthShore Dock LLC, received the call

The man on the phone was Marc Mallory, the husband of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Whitmer had recently lifted some of the state's stay-at-home restrictions, but cautioned against rushing to the waterfront for the Memorial Day weekend. She had specifically mentioned Traverse City, a popular vacation destination, and urged people to "think long and hard before you take a trip into them."

Dowker's staff were aware that they had installed a dock and boat for the governor and her husband, but they had not realized the connection when Mallory initially called. Dowker stood by the content of his post but maintained that his company did not have time to deal with the media requests that resulted from it.

In response to the incident, Whitmer acknowledged that her husband had made the call, saying it was a "failed attempt at humor." She stated that he knew it wouldn't make a difference and that he regretted it. Whitmer also clarified that while she had lifted the travel ban within the state, allowing people to travel to second homes, she and her daughters had stayed in Lansing while her husband briefly visited their Antrim County home.

The incident sparked criticism from Republican state lawmakers, who questioned whether the governor's family was following her guidance. State Sen. Tom Barrett, in particular, criticized the apparent request for preferential treatment, comparing it to military leaders getting in line for chow last.

Mallory asked if being married to the governor would make a difference

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged that her husband, Marc Mallory, dropped her name in an attempt to get his boat in the water for Memorial Day weekend. In a phone call with a recreation business, NorthShore Dock, Mallory asked if "being the husband to the governor" would make a difference in getting his request fulfilled.

This incident sparked criticism and allegations that Whitmer's family was trying to flout her strict lockdown rules. In response, Whitmer stated that her husband's comment was a failed attempt at humor and that he knew it wouldn't make a difference. She also clarified that her family had been staying home during the pandemic and that her husband had only briefly visited their Antrim County property for a night or two.

The owner of NorthShore Dock, Tad Dowker, confirmed that Mallory was respectful and understood why the company couldn't quickly get his boat in the water. Whitmer's spokeswoman, Tiffany Brown, also emphasized that the governor's office wouldn't address every rumor spread online and highlighted the threats of violence against Whitmer.

The incident fueled controversy, with Republican state lawmakers criticizing Whitmer for not following her own guidance for the state. However, Whitmer defended her actions, stating that she had lifted the travel ban within the state and that it would have been permitted for her family to travel to their second home.

Whitmer said her husband's comments were a failed attempt at humour

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer acknowledged that her husband, Marc Mallory, had dropped her name in an attempt to get his boat in the water for Memorial Day weekend. However, she was quick to clarify that it was a "failed attempt at humor".

Tad Dowker, the owner of NorthShore Dock in northern Michigan, shared on Facebook that his staff took a call from Whitmer's husband, who wanted his boat in the water before the weekend. When Dowker's team explained that it wouldn't be possible, Mallory replied, "I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?".

In response to the incident, Whitmer said:

> "He thought it might get a laugh. It didn’t, and to be honest, I wasn’t laughing either when it was relayed to me because I knew how it would be perceived. He regrets it. I wish it wouldn’t have happened, and that’s really all we have to say about it."

Whitmer's statement comes amid her strict stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions in Michigan, which have drawn criticism from both conservatives and progressives. While she had begun to lift some restrictions over Memorial Day weekend, Whitmer reminded residents to take personal responsibility and avoid travelling to waterfront areas.

The governor's response to her husband's comments reflects her commitment to upholding the rules and guidelines she has put in place for the state, regardless of personal connections.

The incident sparked criticism from Republicans

The incident involving Gretchen Whitmer's husband, Marc Mallory, sparked criticism from Republicans, who accused the governor of hypocrisy and elitism.

At the time of the incident, Whitmer had urged Michigan residents not to rush to the northern regions of the state, particularly Traverse City, for the Memorial Day weekend, warning that a small spike in COVID-19 cases could overwhelm hospitals.

However, it emerged that Mallory had called a Northern Michigan dock company, NorthShore Dock, to request that his boat be placed in the water before the holiday weekend. When told that this would not be possible, Mallory asked if being the governor's husband would "make a difference".

The owner of the company, Tad Dowker, shared the story on Facebook, and it quickly gained traction. Republican state lawmakers criticised Whitmer, arguing that her family was not following the guidance she had set for the rest of the state. They also accused Whitmer and her family of trying to cut people in line, despite the governor's pleas for residents not to descend on Traverse City.

The Republican National Committee released a statement with a drawing of a sail and the message, "Whitmer Yacht Club. Lockdown for thee. Open waters for me."

In response to the criticism, Whitmer acknowledged that her husband had made the call but claimed that it was a failed attempt at humor. She stated that Mallory knew his comment wouldn't make a difference and that he regretted making the joke. Whitmer's office also emphasised the threats of violence against the governor and her family, calling them "downright dangerous".

Frequently asked questions