Aric Nesbitt, the minority leader of the Michigan State Senate, said state leadership has failed to support workers amid high unemployment rates. He advocated for lower taxes and reduced regulations in a statement made on X.
“Numbers don’t lie,” said Aric Young Nesbitt, State Senator for Michigan. “Whitmer’s policies have failed Michigan workers. It’s time to cut taxes and reduce regulations. We can unlock Michigan’s potential.”
Michigan’s economy has experienced fluctuations during Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration. In June 2023, the state achieved a 3.6% unemployment rate—the lowest in 23 years—alongside an increase in the labor force by 23,000 and an addition of 76,000 jobs year over year. However, by March 2025, Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 5.5%, ranking it 49th among U.S. states. This increase is attributed to factors such as a harsh winter and challenges in the auto industry that led to job losses in certain regions.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of March 2025, Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was at 5.5%, significantly higher than the national average of 4.0%.
During Whitmer’s tenure, Michigan has seen both historic lows and recent increases in its unemployment rate. In June 2023, the rate dropped to its lowest point in decades at 3.6%. However, by December 2024, it had risen to 5.2%, marking the highest since October 2021.
Nesbitt represents Michigan’s Senate District 20 and serves on both the Government Operations Committee and the Senate Fiscal Agency Governing Board. He has announced his candidacy for governor in the upcoming 2026 election with a focus on manufacturing issues and opposition to electric vehicle mandates.
