Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Thursday that she does not plan to run for president in 2028 after completing her current term in office. Speaking during an interview at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference, Whitmer dismissed speculation about a future White House campaign and said she intends to take time away from politics before making any major decisions about her future.
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“There will be a robust group of people running for president; I will not be one of them in 2028,” Whitmer said during an interview with WJBK-TV. The governor made the remarks while attending events on Mackinac Island alongside political and business leaders from across the country.
Whitmer explained that after years in public office, she wants to slow down and carefully consider her next steps rather than immediately launching another campaign. She said several prominent political figures have encouraged her to take time before deciding on any future role in public life.
Among those she mentioned were Pete Buttigieg, Gina Raimondo, and Paul Ryan. Many of the political leaders were also attending the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual policy conference held on Mackinac Island this week.
Whitmer added that stepping back for a period of reflection is advice she has heard repeatedly from colleagues and advisers. “That’s the advice everyone says: ‘Take a little bit of time,’ and so that’s what I’m going to do,” she said during the interview.
Representatives for the governor’s office later said Whitmer was unavailable for additional comment following the event. Her remarks come as speculation continues to grow around potential candidates for the 2028 presidential election, with several high-profile Democrats already drawing national attention.
Benjamin Harris is a RapidReports front page contributor and editor,proud father of four.
