Events from the year 2020 in Michigan.
Major stories in Michigan during 2020 included the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot, the George Floyd protests in Michigan, the Edenville Dam collapse and flooding, Gary Peters' victory over John E. James in the 2020 United States Senate election in Michigan, and Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 United States presidential election in Michigan.
Office holders State office holders
Governor of Michigan: Gretchen Whitmer (Democratic) Lieutenant Governor of Michigan: Garlin Gilchrist (Democratic) Michigan Attorney General: Dana Nessel (Democratic) Michigan Secretary of State: Jocelyn Benson (Democratic) Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives: Lee Chatfield (Republican) Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate: Mike Shirkey (Republican) Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court: Bridget Mary McCormack
Mayors of major cities
Mayor of Detroit: Mike Duggan (Democrat) Mayor of Grand Rapids: Rosalynn Bliss Mayor of Warren, Michigan: James R. Fouts Mayor of Sterling Heights, Michigan: Michael C. Taylor Mayor of Ann Arbor: Christopher Taylor (Democrat) Mayor of Dearborn: John B. O'Reilly Jr. Mayor of Lansing: Andy Schor Mayor of Flint: Karen Weaver/Sheldon Neeley Mayor of Saginaw: Brenda Moore
Federal office holders
U.S. Senator from Michigan: Debbie Stabenow (Democrat) U.S. Senator from Michigan: Gary Peters (Democrat) House District 1: Jack Bergman (Republican) House District 2: Bill Huizenga (Republican) House District 3: Justin Amash (Libertarian) House District 4: John Moolenaar (Republican) House District 5: Dan Kildee (Democrat) House District 6: Fred Upton (Republican) House District 7: Tim Walberg (Republican) House District 8: Elissa Slotkin (Democrat) House District 9: Andy Levin (Democrat) House District 10: Paul Mitchell (Republican) House District 11: Haley Stevens (Democrat) House District 12: Debbie Dingell (Democrat) House District 13: Rashida Tlaib (Democrat) House District 14: Brenda Lawrence (Democrat)
Population In the 2020 United States Census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 9,883,640 persons, ranking as the eighth most populous state in the country. By 2018, the state's population was estimated at 9,995,915, and the state had become the 10th most populous state.
The state's largest cities, having populations of at least 75,000 based on 2019 estimates, were as follows:
2019rank City County2010 pop. (est)2019 pop.Change 2010-191DetroitWayne713,777670,031−6.1% 2Grand RapidsKent188,040201,0136.9% 3WarrenMacomb134,056133,943−0.01% 4Sterling HeightsMacomb129,699132,4382.1% 5Ann ArborWashtenaw113,934119,9805.3% 6LansingIngham114,297118,2103.4% 7FlintGenesee102,43495,538−6.7% 8DearbornWayne98,15393,932−4.3% 9LivoniaWayne96,94293,665−3.4% 10TroyOakland80,98084,0923.8% 11WestlandWayne84,09481,511−3.1% 12Farmington HillsOakland79,74080,6121.1% 13KalamazooKalamazoo74,26276,2002.6% 14WyomingKent72,12575,6674.9%
Sports Baseball 2020 Detroit Tigers season – The Tigers compiled a 23–35 (.397) record and finished in last place in the American League Central Division. On September 19, Ron Gardenhire announced his retirement, effective immediately, for health reasons. Lloyd McClendon took over as interim head coach. The team's statistical leaders included Willi Castro with a .349 batting average. Miguel Cabrera with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs, and Spencer Turnbull with four pitching wins.
American football 2020 Detroit Lions season - On April 23, the Lions selected Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah with the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Matt Patricia was fired as the team's head coach following the team's loss on Thanksgiving Day. He was replaced by Darrell Bevell and then Robert Prince who served as interim head coaches. The team compiled a 5–11 record and finished in fourth place in the NFC North. 2020 Michigan Wolverines football team - Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines compiled a 2–4 record. The team's statistical leaders included Joe Milton with 1,077 passing yards, Hassan Haskins with 375 rushing yards and 36 points scored, and Ronnie Bell with 401 receiving yards. 2020 Michigan State Spartans football team - Under first year head coach Mel Tucker, the Spartans compiled a 2–5 record. The team's statistical leaders included Rocky Lombardi with 1,090 passing yards, Jordan Simmons with 219 rushing yards, Jalen Nailor with 515 receiving yards, and Matt Coghlin with 40 points scored. 2020 Central Michigan Chippewas football team - Under head coach Jim McElwain, the Chippewas compiled a 3–3 record. 2020 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team - Under head coach Chris Creighton, the Eagles compiled a 2–4 record. 2020 Western Michigan Broncos football team - Led by head coach Tim Lester, the Broncos compiled a 4–2 record.
Basketball 2019–20 Detroit Pistons season – Under head coach Dwane Casey, the Pistons compiled a 20–46 record. The team's leaders included Derrick Rose with 904 points (18.1 points per game) and 278 assists and Andre Drummond with 775 rebounds. The Pistons did not qualify to participate in the 2020 NBA Bubble. 2019–20 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team – Under first-year head coach Juwan Howard, the Wolverines compiled a 19–12 record. 2019–20 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team – Under head coach Tom Izzo, the Spartans compiled a 22–9 record and were ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll when the season was suspended. 2019–20 Michigan Wolverines women's basketball team – Under head coach Kim Barnes Arico, the Wolverines compiled a 21–11 record. 2019–20 Michigan State Spartans women's basketball team – Under head coach Suzy Merchant, the Spartans compiled a 16–14 record.
Ice hockey 2019–20 Detroit Red Wings season – Under head coach Jeff Blashill, the Wings compiled a 17–49–5 record. The team's leaders included Tyler Bertuzzi with 21 goals and Dylan Larkin with 34 assists and 53 points scored. 2019–20 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season – Under head coach Mel Pearson, the Wolverines compiled an 18–14–4 record.
Chronology of events
January January 1 - Michigan lost to Alabama, 35–16, in the 2020 Citrus Bowl. January 15 - Former Detroit Lions star Alex Karras (1958-1970) selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame January 17 - Michigan State's Cassius Winston broke the Big Ten career record for assists January 21 - State Senator Mallory McMorrow charged fellow Senator Peter Lucido with sexual harassment during orientation for new legislators. January 21 - Kalamazoo native Derek Jeter elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame January 22 - Detroit Symphony Orchestra hired Jader Bignamini as its musical director January 22 - Detroit's Atwater Brewery acquired by Molson Coors January 24 - Michigan health officials reported that three Michiganders were undergoing testing for suspicion of having coronavirus January 27 - General Motors announced plans to invest $2.2 billion to convert its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant into the company's first all-electric vehicle plant. January 30 - President Trump visited a Warren automobile plant and touted the new North American trade deal
February February 4 - Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio announced his retirement February 6 - Detroit Pistons traded Andre Drummond to the Cleveland Cavaliers February 7 - Jim Farley promoted to chief operating officer of Ford Motor Company February 10 - Luke Fickell turned down offer to become Michigan State's head football coach February 12 - Mel Tucker hired as Michigan State's head football coach February 14 - Former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages found guilty by a Lansing jury of lying to police in connection with complaints about Larry Nassar in the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal February 21 - Michigan health officials reported that 325 Michiganders were being monitored for coronavirus February 27 - The last Chevy Impala rolled off the line at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant as the company closed the plant to retool for production of electric vehicles. February - Revelations of sexual misconduct by University of Michigan doctor Robert Anderson dating to the 1960s; more than 100 complaints lodged after hotlines opened February 19
March March 2 - Fears of coronavirus spur stockpiling and shortages of products March 5 - Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Joe Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination March 5 - Former UAW president Gary Jones charged with embezzlement and racketeering March 5 - A federal judge approved a class action settlement providing for Ford to repurchase thousands of Fiesta and Focus automobiles March 10 - Joe Biden defeated Bernie Sanders in the 2020 Michigan Democratic primary by a margin of 52.93% to 36.34%. Democrat Cynthia Neeley defeats Republican Adam Ford in the Michigan House of Representatives special election held to fill the vacancy made by Sheldon Neeley's resignation from the seat representing the 34th district. March 11 - After the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Michigan, Governor Whitmer urged frequent handwashing and urged cancellation of gatherings of more than 100 persons. March 12 - NCAA, NHL, MLB cancel games due to coronavirus March 13 - Governor Whitmer ordered closure of K-12 schools statewide due to coronavirus; Michigan's total confirmed coronavirus cases reached 16 March 17 - Governor Whitmer ordered closure until March 30 of the state's bars, restaurants, gyms, spas, theaters, and other public spaces March 18 - First Michigan coronavirus death is a Southgate man in his 50s. Border between US and Canada closed to non-essential vehicles. UAW and Detroit's Big Three auto makers agreed to shut down North American car production. March 19 - Michigan reports total of 334 cases of coronavirus and three deaths March 22 - As Michigan's confirmed coronavirus exceeds 1,000 with nine deaths, Gov Whitmer defended her decision not to order a statewide stay-at-home order similar to Ohio March 23 - Governor Whitmer issued statewide order for non-essential personnel to stay at home until April 13 March 25 - Beaumont Hospital says it faces "biological tsunami" as it added 100 new coronavirus patients per day March 26 - Detroit and Wayne County declared a coronavirus hotspot with 1,389 cases and 26 deaths countywide. Governor Whitmer sought declaration from President Trump declaring Michigan a major disaster area. March 27 - President Trump invoked Defense Production Act to order General Motors to produce ventilators. Detroit Police chief James Craig tested positive for coronavirus. March 28 - President Trump criticized Governor Whitmer, referring to her as "a woman governor" and saying "all she does is sit there and blame the federal government". Trump also approved Michigan's disaster declaration. March 30 - Oakland County saw spike in coronavirus cases to 1,391 with 59 deaths. Governor Whitmer ordered $80 million cuts in state spending not related to coronavirus March 31 - Detroit's TCF Center converted into a 1,000-bed hospital. Michigan's coronavirus death total reached 259 with 7,615 cases
April April 1 - Governor Whitmer declared a state of disaster and asked the legislature to extend the state of emergency for 70 additional days April 2 - Governor Whitmer ordered closure of the state's schools for the remainder of the school year April 4 - Former University of Michigan star Rudy Tomjanovich elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame April 5 - Michigan's coronavirus toll reached 14,225 cases and 540 deaths April 6 - Al Kaline died at age 85 at his home in Bloomfield Hills April 6 - Former Detroit Lions players Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh named to the National Football League 2010s All-Decade Team April 7 - The Michigan Legislature extended the State's emergency declaration through April 30