Mich. Gov. Whitmer rules out 2028 presidential run
OAN Staff Addie Davis
2:00 PM – Thursday, May 28, 2026
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced at the Mackinac Policy Conference that she will not launch a presidential campaign in 2028.
Speaking with Fox 2 Detroit, the Michigan Democrat explained that she plans to take some time to contemplate her future next steps as her second and final term as governor approaches its conclusion.
“I want to have impact. I want to do good work, but I’m also looking forward to taking a little bit of a break and thinking about it, not jumping into something,” she told the outlet.
Since Michigan enforces strict gubernatorial term limits that restrict individuals to only two terms in office, Whitmer is legally barred from seeking reelection. Recognizing that the 2028 presidential primary will likely feature a highly crowded and competitive field, she reiterated that she has chosen not to participate in the upcoming race.
“I think there will be a robust group of people running for president,” she said. “I will not be one of them in 2028.”
Whitmer also noted that she had sought advice from people who have transitioned out of office, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
“As I’ve gotten counsel from people who made the transition…That’s the advice everyone says, ‘Take a little bit of time,’ and so that’s what I’m going to do,” she said.
A May poll by Emerson College Polling showed Buttigieg leading in a Democrat primary for 2028, followed by Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
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