Michigan’s Democratic Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has confirmed that she will not be running for the U.S. presidency in 2028 after her term ends this year, putting an end to speculation about her potential candidacy. Whitmer, known for her election victories in Michigan, a state twice won by Republican Donald Trump in presidential elections, has been considered a possible White House contender by some within the Democratic party. In an interview with Fox 2 Detroit, Whitmer unequivocally stated, “I will not be one of them in 2028,” referring to the upcoming presidential race.
The announcement was made during Michigan’s annual Mackinac policy conference, where Whitmer is scheduled to be honored and deliver a speech later in the day. As she has reached the two-term limit as governor, both Republicans and Democrats will need to select their candidates for the next election through a primary in August.
Despite her previous comments about taking time to consider her political future, Whitmer has not definitively ruled out running for office again. At a breakfast event in Detroit in April, she expressed uncertainty about putting her name on the ballot but emphasized that she still has a lot of energy and potential for future endeavors.
The Mackinac conference has been a focal point for presidential speculations, with other potential contenders like former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin also attending the event. Whitmer’s political actions over the past year have been closely scrutinized for hints about her future ambitions, particularly in the context of her stance on economic policies and interactions with national figures like Trump.
Governor Whitmer’s decision not to run for president in 2028 aligns with similar moves by Maryland Governor Wes Moore and signals a shifting landscape within the Democratic party. Meanwhile, former vice-president Kamala Harris has hinted at a possible return to the presidential race in 2028. Additionally, the upcoming U.S. Senate campaign in Michigan, following Senator Gary Peters’ announcement of stepping down after two terms, is expected to draw significant attention, with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson eyeing a gubernatorial bid to succeed Whitmer at the state level.