“There will be a robust group of people running for president. I will not be one of them in 2028, I can tell you that.”
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer, earlier this week
Conflicting Signals on a 2028 Run
Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has made conflicting statements regarding a potential 2028 presidential campaign. After first stating she would not run, she later clarified she has "nothing to announce." Whitmer is term-limited and will leave office at the end of this year.
In an interview with Fox 2 Detroit on Thursday, Whitmer said, "There will be a robust group of people running for president. I will not be one of them in 2028, I can tell you that."
Hours later, Whitmer characterized her earlier comment as a response to repeated questions. She stated she is not making plans for a presidential run and emphasized that she is currently focused on her duties as governor.
"I guess I’ll smile and say, ‘I’m going to stay focused’ and leave it at that for now," she said. She also noted, "I never thought I would run for governor, so I guess I should know better than to say any of it. Never say never."
Political Context & Potential Contenders
Whitmer has been considered a potential Democratic presidential contender, given her role as governor of a key swing state.
Other high-profile Democrats frequently mentioned as potential 2028 candidates include Governors Wes Moore (MD), Josh Shapiro (PA), Andy Beshear (KY), Gavin Newsom (CA), and JB Pritzker (IL), as well as former officials Pete Buttigieg and Gina Raimondo. Moore has also denied plans to run for president.
A person close to Whitmer, speaking anonymously, suggested her remarks were not an absolute denial, noting she is not a "never" kind of person and focuses on immediate priorities. The source noted that past denials by politicians, such as Barack Obama in 2006 and Elizabeth Warren in 2018, did not preclude later campaigns.
Post-Governorship Plans
Whitmer stated she has sought advice from former officials including Gina Raimondo, Pete Buttigieg, and former House Speaker Paul Ryan on transitioning from elected office to private life. She indicated she plans to "take a little bit of time" after leaving office.
In 2025, Whitmer visited Washington, where she delivered a speech highlighting common ground with President Donald Trump and met with him in the Oval Office, an action that drew criticism from some Democrats.