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.
In 2025, Whitmer angered Democrats when she delivered a speech about finding common ground with Trump, later approaching him in the Oval Office. A photo from the White House meeting went viral, showing Whitmer hiding her face with folders.
“If you’re not in the room and you’re not a part of the conversation, you can’t assume your priorities are going to get met,” Whitmer told Bridge Michigan in February. “That’s why I always show up, no matter who’s in the White House. I think it’s important to show up, and that’s my job as governor.”
Whitmer further emphasized this point in her 2025 State of the Union address, saying Michigan should lead as an example of working across the aisle.
“I’m excited to keep working across the aisle to lower costs, create jobs, and continue delivering results that make a real difference in people’s lives,” Whitmer said in her 2025 State of the Union address. “Right now, families and businesses are facing high costs and uncertainty from tariffs, and our national politics are divided. Michiganders are tired of the games and want strong, bipartisan leadership.
“Let’s lead by example and show the rest of the country how to get things,” she added.
While Whitmer ruled out a 2028 bid, a governor could become the 2028 Democratic nominee.
Many Democratic governors from across the country haven’t ruled out a White House run yet, including Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Gov. JB Pritzker (D-IL), and Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY).
GRETCHEN WHITMER STRESSES BIPARTISAN ACHIEVEMENTS IN FINAL STATE OF THE STATE: ‘BIG GRETCH OUT’
Whitmer said in her interview Thursday that she is “thinking” about her future, revealing she’s leaning on the advice from others about the transition from elected office to a personal life.
“I’ve gotten counsel from people who’ve made the transition, whether it was my friend Gina Raimondo, who I sat with last night for a little bit, Pete Buttigieg, or Paul Ryan, who I have chatted with a fair amount. That’s the advice everyone says, take a little bit of time, and so that’s what I’m gonna do,” the governor said.
