Gretchen Whitmer initially announced she would not run for president in 2028 but later retracted her statement. This uncertainty leaves her potential candidacy open amid a competitive Democratic primary landscape.
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MACKINAC ISLAND, Michigan — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that she won’t run for president in 2028 — then backtracked on the statement later.
Whitmer's initial declaration appeared to remove a marquee name from Democratic primary contention.
“I think there will be a robust group of people running for president,” she told a Detroit television station. “I will not be one of them in 2028, I can tell you that.”
The two-term governor, long seen as a potential contender for the Oval Office, appeared at first to be one of the first major candidates to remove themselves from what’s expected to be a crowded field of candidates looking to succeed President Donald Trump.
Whitmer, speaking from the state’s annual policy conference in Mackinac Island, is barred from seeking another term as governor due to term limits.
She said she was looking forward to taking “a little bit of a break” and had spoken with Democrats Gina Raimondo and Pete Buttigieg, as well as Paul Ryan, the former Republican House speaker, for guidance on transitioning out of the political arena.
A few hours later, she walked it back.
During a panel discussion, she said she needed to "correct the record" on her earlier remarks.
“I never thought I would run for governor, so I guess I should know better,” she said.
Then she added: “Never say never."
Whitmer said during the panel that she hadn't intended to make headlines about her political career. “At this juncture, I’ve got nothing to announce.”
Whitmer’s initial statement that she would not run — ahead of the midterms, where her successor will be elected in the battleground state — did come unusually early in the political season. She has hinted before that she may not run for the presidency.
“One of the many reasons she would be a great president is because she is very focused,” said a person familiar with Whitmer's thinking, granted anonymity to candidly discuss her calculus, referencing her 2014 comments that she would not run for governor. “Sometimes she does change her mind."
Whitmer’s second term in office has been marked by a productive relationship with the White House, which her future political ambitions. She bristled visit last April, and covered her face with blue folders as the press snapped photos.
Gretchen Whitmer stated she would not run for president in 2028 during a policy conference, suggesting a crowded field of candidates.
After her initial announcement, Whitmer backtracked, leaving her potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential race uncertain.
Whitmer's potential candidacy could significantly impact the Democratic primary, as she is viewed as a strong contender among a crowded field.
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But Whitmer has maintained that it has been beneficial for her state.
Trump announced a new F-15 fighter mission for suburban Detroit’s Selfridge Air National Guard Base several weeks later, a maneuver Whitmer’s office said could generate $850 million for Michigan.
“All the grief — this shows you why you put the people first,” she told POLITICO. “They see it, and it pays off.”
Adam Wren reported from Mackinac Island, Michigan.