Gretchen Whitmer will not challenge Kamala Harris for the nomination

Whitmer plans to let either Harris or another Democrat take the lead and run against Republican nominee Donald Trump, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the talks were confidential. Whitmer is said to view the situation as complex and it is not an ideal time to run after President Joe Biden decided to drop out of the race on Sunday.

A spokeswoman for Whitmer did not respond directly to questions. Instead, she responded by sharing the governor’s social media post praising Biden without mentioning Harris.

California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom is also preparing to resign, CBS News reported, citing people familiar with the office. Newsom posted on X that Biden would “go down in history as one of the most influential and selfless presidents,” but also did not mention Harris in his statement.

In contrast, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro posted on X his support for the vice president, whom he has known for nearly two decades, pointing out that both were prosecutors. All three governors have been touted as possible presidential and vice presidential candidates.

Whitmer has been governor of the swing state of Michigan since 2019. She has supported Biden since Biden’s disastrous presidential debate, but warned the White House afterward that it could be difficult to win Michigan in November.

Michigan-based pollster EPIC/MRA released a poll on Sunday showing Biden losing ground to Trump. The latest poll showed Trump ahead at 49% to Biden at 42%. Biden was behind in June at 41% to 38%.