Gretchen Whitmer, the two-term Governor of Michigan, announced that she does not intend to run for the presidency in the 2028 election cycle. During a press interaction in Michigan, Whitmer stated, "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." Whitmer has been viewed as a potential candidate in a competitive field of Democrats seeking their party's nomination to succeed Republican President Donald Trump. Her comments contradict previous speculation regarding her national political ambitions.
Whitmer gained national attention during Trump's presidency as a vocal critic and delivered the Democratic response to his 2020 State of the Union address. However, she has also sought common ground with the Trump administration on certain policy issues. In April 2020, a photo of her with Trump during a White House meeting drew criticism from some Democrats, as she appeared to try to shield her face from cameras.
Whitmer was elected as Michigan's governor in 2018 and was considered for the role of vice president in the 2020 election. She has previously campaigned in New Hampshire, a key primary state, in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. Other potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 election include Harris, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and several governors and representatives.