After previously indicating she had no intention of running for president in 2028, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appeared to backtrack on the remark on May 28, saying she has “nothing to announce” about the race.
Whitmer said that at this time, her priority is serving her eight-year term as governor, adding that there are still more important things to do in that role.
“I find all this talk about my future such a distraction from what I want to get done today,” she said. “At this juncture, I've got nothing to announce. I guess I'll just smile and say I'm going to stay focused and leave it at that for now.”
Whitmer, a second-term Democratic governor, previously told a reporter that she plans to take time off after leaving office rather than move directly into another campaign or role.
“I think there will be a robust group of people running for president,” she said in an interview clip posted on X. “I will not be one of them in 2028. I can tell you that.”
She said she has sought counsel from former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who both served in the Biden administration, and former House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Republican, all of whom have exited public office in recent years.
"I'm also looking forward to taking a little bit of a break, and thinking about it, not jumping right into something," Whitmer said.
She said the advice she received from those former officials was consistent: "Take a little bit of time."
Whitmer was first elected governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Her term ends in January 2027, and Michigan voters will choose her successor in November.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Buttigieg, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, and Rep. Ro Khanna of California were also featured at the four-day gathering. Most stopped short of confirming a 2028 bid.
The Democratic National Committee's powerful Rules and Bylaws committee is meeting this week in Washington to hear pitches from states hoping to be moved to the front of the line for the party's 2028 nominating process—and to set rules for the selection of delegates ahead of 2028 primaries.
Whitmer's Michigan was among the group of states presenting to the group, making their argument on May 27 that putting Michigan early in the primary process would set up an eventual nominee well to possibly win back the all-important swing state and other midwestern states the party is hoping to win back after Harris's 2024 loss.