Online petition to recall Michigan governor receives more than 150,000 signatures

An online petition to recall Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is growing after she announced new statewide orders on social distancing and keeping “non-essential” businesses closed amid the coronavirus crisis.

The petition, which had 160,000 signatures as of Monday, claims the Democratic governor’s actions are causing more people in the state to get sick from the coronavirus.

“Closing and banning various non essential business’s and activities while leaving others open. Further promoting the pandemic,” it reads. “She has lied since day one with her #Fixthedamnroads which she has failed to do anything in this regards. The response to #PFAS was negligence and completely removing funding for #PureMichigan clearly shows her lack of anything positive for the State of Michigan.”

Whitmer last week extended Michigan’s stay-at-home order through the end of April after the state topped 20,000 confirmed cases of the virus.

“Michigan has the third highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and we’re still on the upswing,” she said in the order. “Data shows that most Michiganders are doing their part by staying home and staying safe. That’s good, but we must keep it up. When we do, we can save lives and shorten the amount of time we’re working through this crisis, which will be good for our families and good for our economy in the long-run.”

Whitmer’s critics said the new measures go too far.

“Several recent measures provide marginal benefits at best, while substantially heightening frustration and resentment,” said Rep. Justin Amash, an independent. “Sensible instructions to practice social distancing, wear masks, and stay at home already do most of the work to reduce the virus’s spread. By pushing too far, the governor undermines her own authority and increases the likelihood people will not follow reasonable guidelines.”