By Zachary Gorchow
President of Michigan Operations
Posted: November 20, 2018 5:10 PM

One of the unspoken subplots to this year's race for governor was that depending on who won, the next governor would describe residents of Michigan as "Michiganders" or "Michiganians" for the next four years.

The Democratic candidate, and now the governor-elect, Gretchen Whitmer, uses "Michigander." The Republican candidate, Bill Schuette, uses "Michiganian." This was, not surprisingly, never a point of discussion during the campaign. But outgoing Governor Rick Snyder has taken pride in using "Michigander" the last eight years, and Ms. Whitmer's victory means the Michigander crowd has prevailed.

The Michiganian crowd, which is smaller in number but vociferous in its support, has taken umbrage at the momentum Michigander has seized in recent years, especially after Mr. Snyder signed a law that, among many other things, for the first time defined a Michigan resident as a Michigander. Up until then, only Michiganian could claim to be enshrined in the Michigan Compiled Laws.

Michigander vs. Michiganian has become quite the triggering debate, prompting fury and hurt feelings, even if Michigander does seem to have the upper hand both with the public at large and now two consecutive governors. Most news outlets, except for The Detroit News, use Michigander. So this Thanksgiving, keep the residents of this state who call themselves Michiganians in your thoughts at this difficult time. Even if they are wrong.