Michigan governor supports Harris and remains in office

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she was not interested in changing jobs.

The Detroit Free Press reported that Whitmer, a rising star in the Democratic Party, announced her support for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in the party’s presidential nomination, a day after President Joe Biden declared that he would not seek a second term.

There has been speculation about the governor’s political future, which has intensified in recent weeks. Whitmer has been on several “shortlists” of possible running mates for Harris and is reportedly considering a shot at the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028.

But Whitmer told reporters in Lansing on Monday that she was not interested in Washington.

“I’m not leaving Michigan,” Whitmer told WLNS-TV’s Tim Skubick, as quoted by the Free Press. “I’m proud to be the governor of Michigan. I’ve been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and keeps asking that question. I know you’re doing your job. I’m not going anywhere.”

Harris, the first woman and first person of color to serve as vice president, received Biden’s personal blessing shortly after he announced his withdrawal. Harris had promised her supporters that she would “earn and win” her party’s nomination.

Biden had already won enough delegates to win the nomination, but those delegates are now free because Biden has dropped out. Democratic Party rules prohibit Biden from giving his convention delegates to Harris.

If a majority of delegates do not vote for Harris by the start of the Democratic Party Convention on August 19 in Chicago, it would be the first “open” convention since 1968. The delegates in attendance would then choose the candidate who will run against former US President Donald Trump in the general election in November.