Whitmer, elected to the Michigan governorship after 14 years as a state legislator, seemed like a natural choice for Biden. A fresh face on the national scene from a swing state with executive experience who seemed ideologically in-line with Biden’s brand of center-left politics.

But Whitmer now faces criticism over her coronavirus response, to the point that an online Change.org petition demanding the state hold a recall election has received nearly 154,000 signatures. Complaints range from allegations she has politicized the crisis through her rhetoric against President Trump to overreaching orders that critics say banned the sale of gardening supplies and child car seats.

An editorial in the Detroit News, one of the state’s largest newspapers, questioned whether she was “acting in the best interests of this state, or on behalf of the Democratic Party.”

“Unfortunately she’s sending conflicting signals about her priorities and motivations,” the editorial read.

She was also forced to clarify the state’s stay-at-home order following complaints from residents that portions of general stores were sectioned off because they housed nonessential supplies. Her critics pointed out that although items such as hammers and nails were not allowed for purchase, residents were still able to buy marijuana from dispensaries.

“Non-essential in Michigan: Lawn care, construction, fishing if boating with a motor, realtors, buying seeds, home improvement equipment and gardening supplies,” state House Speaker Lee Chatfield tweeted. “Essential in Michigan: Marijuana, lottery and alcohol. Let’s be safe and reasonable. Right now, we’re not!”

Independent Rep. Justin Amash, representing western Michigan, accused Whitmer of “trampl[ing] on the rights” of his constituents.

“Most Michigan residents recognize the challenging circumstances and are willing to make considerable sacrifices to keep themselves and others safe,” the libertarian-leaning congressman wrote in a series of tweets. “But several recent measures provide marginal benefits at best, while substantially heightening frustration and resentment.”

A statement from Whitmer’s office later clarified the order, saying Michiganders are free to buy whatever they please, provided they are from an authorized seller.

But her order still included the banning of travel to other residences or vacation homes.

Michigan currently faces the third-largest coronavirus outbreak in the country, with more than 21,000 people testing positive.

“We are living in a difficult time, & the unknown is scary. But I do know that we must remain steady,” she tweeted over the weekend. “We can’t allow fear or panic to guide us. The lives of Michiganders are at stake. We must stay the course to save lives. Stay steady, we’re going to get through this together.”

Whitmer has also flip-flopped on questions surrounding the prescription of hydroxychloroquine, a potential coronavirus treatment clinically unproven but touted by Trump and some medical professionals. After initially banning physicians from prescribing the drug, a week later, she instructed state officials to begin ordering supplies. She initially threatened “administrative action” against any doctors who gave the drug to patients.

The Trump reelection campaign was quick to point out the policy change, saying “Democratic governors” like Whitmer “are racing to use the drug to treat the coronavirus.”

“President Trump is saving lives. It’s deplorable that some Democrats and the media are attacking him for it,” read a recent campaign statement.