Have you seen the viral "Report Card" circulating about Governor Whitmer's time in office? In today's hyper-partisan political climate, it is incredibly easy to dismiss graphics like that as just another piece of political spin.
But as we approach the critical 2026 elections, we cannot afford to vote based on party loyalty, catchy slogans, or emotional appeals. We need to vote based on hard, verifiable facts.
So, we took the claims from that report card and ran a comprehensive, independent fact-check against federal economic data, state audits, and standardized test results.
The result? Every single claim was verified as true.
What the Data Actually Shows
💰 $8.5 Billion Lost to Unemployment Fraud
A state-commissioned Deloitte audit confirmed that Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency paid out approximately $8.5 billion in fraudulent pandemic jobless claims between March 2020 and October 2021. This is not a political talking point — it is an official state audit.
📉 Per Capita Income: 40th in the Nation — A Historic Low
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Michigan's per capita personal income ranks 40th out of 50 states at $63,221. Michigan now sits 12.4% below the national average — the largest gap in the state's recorded economic history.
📊 Unemployment: Consistently in the Top 5 Worst States
Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows Michigan's unemployment rate peaked at 5.5% in early 2025, making it the second-worst in the nation at that time. Michigan has consistently ranked among the top 5 to 10 worst states for unemployment throughout 2024 and 2025.
📚 Education: 61% of 3rd Graders Cannot Read Proficiently
The 2025 M-STEP results revealed that only 38.9% of Michigan third graders tested proficient or advanced in English Language Arts. That means 61% of our third graders are not reading at grade level — the worst result in the exam's history.
🏫 National Reading Rank: Fell 12 Spots Since 2019
On the 2024 NAEP fourth-grade reading assessment, Michigan ranked 44th in the nation. In 2019, Michigan ranked 32nd. That is a verified drop of exactly 12 spots in just five years.
🏥 Post-Pandemic Recovery: 8th Worst in the Country
Multiple economic indices ranked Michigan's COVID-19 economic recovery as the 8th-worst in the nation during the 2020–2021 recovery period. Job growth data also placed Michigan's post-pandemic recovery among the 13 slowest nationally.
🏛️ Nursing Home Deaths: 8,061 Confirmed
The Michigan Office of the Auditor General confirmed exactly 8,061 COVID-19 deaths linked to long-term care facilities. The state had publicly undercounted these deaths by 30% to 42%, omitting over 2,400 deaths from official reporting.
Vote on Facts, Not Emotions — 2026 Is Too Important
These are not Republican numbers or Democrat numbers. They come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and the Michigan Office of the Auditor General.
As we head into the 2026 elections, the emotional theater of modern campaigns will be louder than ever. The outrage, the tribalism, the soundbites — all of it is designed to bypass your critical thinking and trigger a gut reaction. Do not let it.
I am challenging everyone reading this: Vote based on facts.
Look at the data. Look at the trajectory of our state. Ask yourself whether the current direction aligns with the Michigan you want for your family, your business, and your community. Demand real, measurable accountability from every candidate who asks for your vote — regardless of party.
Share this post. Share the data. Let's make 2026 the year Michigan voters choose facts over feelings.
All statistics cited in this post were independently verified against federal data sources, state audits, and standardized test results. Sources include the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), the Michigan Office of the Auditor General, NPR, and the Associated Press.