Michigan Governor Says She Will Not Run for President in 2028

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) said she will not run for president in 2028. The statement ended speculation about her possible candidacy in what some observers expect 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. Speculation about a presidential bid had grown because of those limits. The governor is among several high-profile Democrats discussed as possible 2028 candidates.

Whitmer received a 52.2% approval rating from Michiganders as of early May, according to a Detroit Regional Chamber poll conducted by The Glengariff Group. She has pursued bipartisan efforts during her time in office. In 2025, Whitmer delivered a speech about finding common ground with President Donald Trump and later met him in the Oval Office.

A photo from that meeting circulated widely. “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. She mentioned receiving advice from others who have made the transition from elected office.

“I’ve gotten counsel from people who’ve made the transition,” the governor said.