Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) said she will not run for president in 2028, ending speculation over whether she would throw her hat into what is expected to be a crowded Democratic primary field. “I think there will be a robust group of people running for president,” Whitmer told Fox 2 Detroit on Thursday. “I will not be one of them in 2028. I can tell you that.” Whitmer’s remarks come as she nears the end of her second term in office, with her leaving office at the end of this year. Due to reaching her term limits, speculation grew that she might run for president in the next election cycle. However, Whitmer put those rumors to rest.
The governor is among several high-profile Democrats discussed as a 2028 candidate, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Whitmer was viewed as a strong contender in a presidential election for her popularity in a battleground state that President Donald Trump won by 1.4% in 2024, according to the Associated Press. The governor received a 52.2% approval rating from Michiganders as of early May, according to a Detroit Regional Chamber poll conducted by The Glengariff Group.
Whitmer’s bipartisan efforts contribute to this popularity throughout the state.
