According to the New York Post, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially declared she will not be Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate in the upcoming election.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has dismissed rumors that she would be joining Vice President Kamala Harris as her potential vice-presidential candidate in the current election cycle. At 52, Governor Whitmer has been a prominent figure in Democratic politics, praised for her leadership and dedication to the state of Michigan.
Recently, with Vice President Harris stepping into the spotlight as the presumptive Democratic nominee, discussions about her potential VP have intensified.
Governor Whitmer's decision is rooted in a strong commitment to her current role. "I have communicated with everyone, including the campaign, that I’ve committed to serve out my term as governor in Michigan," she stated during an interview on MSNBC's “Morning Joe.” This declaration aligns with her frequent affirmations of dedication to her gubernatorial responsibilities.
Whitmer has additionally emphasized her role in supporting the Harris campaign from Michigan. During an interview, she mentioned, "No, I’m not planning to go anywhere. I am proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent."
As a co-chair for Vice President Harris's campaign, Governor Whitmer is positioned to play a key role in the upcoming elections from her stronghold in Michigan.
"I can be an excellent ally to President Harris and I can be a great co-chair of the Harris campaign from my place as governor. So I am not a part of the vetting,” Whitmer expressed her support and clear stance.
Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign recently achieved a significant milestone: amassing $200 million in fundraising following President Joe Biden's departure from the race. With Harris now the presumptive Democratic nominee, her campaign is in the throes of a hastened vetting process for her vice-presidential pick.
Given the accelerated timeline of events, Governor Whitmer remarked on the urgency of Harris's decision-making. “Everything is truncated, and she’s going to make that decision probably in the next six or seven days,” she noted on CBS Mornings.
As the Democratic National Committee gears up for a virtual roll call to confirm the party’s nominee by August 7, attention turns to the other potential candidates for the vice-presidential slot. Figures such as Senator Mark Kelly, Governor Josh Shapiro, Governor Andy Beshear, Governor Tim Walz, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also being rumored as possible running mates for Harris.
Governor Whitmer believes that the pool of potential vice-presidential candidates is strong. She highlighted the depth of the selection process, stating, “The vice president has got a great group of people from whom she’s going to pick her running mate, and I know that I can be the best ally on the ground in Michigan as a co-chair of this campaign as well.”
With Governor Whitmer firmly supporting from Michigan and an array of capable candidates in consideration, Vice President Harris’s announcement of her running mate is highly anticipated. The Democratic National Convention, scheduled to take place in Chicago from August 19-22, will likely be a pivotal moment in this election cycle.
As the Democratic Party prepares to finalize its ticket, the focus remains on how these strategic decisions will influence the political landscape in the lead-up to the national election.
