Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she won't run for president in 2028, then walks back the statement hours later

Speaking at Michigan's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, Whitmer initially appeared to remove herself from the Democratic presidential field. "I think there will be a robust group of people running for president," she told a Detroit television station. "I will not be one of them in 2028, I can tell you that." As a two-term governor barred by term limits from seeking re-election, Whitmer is among the most prominent Democrats whose future political plans are being watched nationally.

The initial statement was notable for its timing — well ahead of midterm elections in which her successor will be chosen in a key battleground state — and because it appeared to settle long-running speculation about her national ambitions. She said she was looking forward to taking "a little bit of a break" and had spoken with former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and former Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan about transitioning out of elected office, according to Politico.

Hours later, Whitmer returned to the same conference and said she needed to "correct the record." She cited her own history, noting that she had not anticipated running for governor before she did. "Never say never," she said, adding that she had "nothing to announce" at that juncture and had not intended to make headlines about her political future.