Rick Pluta/Michigan Public Radio Network ( MPRN ) Gretchen Whitmer

So, you thought you could take a little break from election season after the 2016 election? Think again!

The 2018 political season is already gearing up. Former state Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer has announced she’s running for governor in 2018. She also served briefly as interim Ingham County prosecutor last year. In announcing her bid to run for office, Whitmer embarks on a two-year campaign.

“Campaigns have gotten excruciatingly long,” says Whitmer. “I will say, though, after the result of 2016, we saw this surge of enthusiasm and activity and desire to really start working towards something positive. I think a lot of people saw that result and went through the stages of grief and then said, ‘What can we do?’”

“Now is the time. I can’t wait,” she continues. ”I’m ready to jump in and engage in that discussion and really put forward a vision that I hope people can come around and get excited about and work toward.”

Whitmer says Michigan deserves better leadership and a better education system. She also shares some observations she made during her time as Michigan Senate minority leader.

“In Lansing, with the Republicans in complete control… we’ve really lost a focus on people,” she says. “And that’s one of the things that I think leads to crises like that of the Flint water situation.”

Click on the audio player above to hear the full conversation with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer.