Michigan Gov. Whitmer says she won't run for president in 2028, then wavers

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ruled out a 2028 presidential run in an interview with WJBK-TV (Channel 2) on Thursday morning on the front porch of the Grand Hotel before softening her stance later in the day.

Whitmer said she was looking forward to taking a break and “thinking about it, not jumping right into it,” when it comes to her future plans.

“There will be a robust group of people running for president; I will not be one of them in 2028, I can tell you that,” Whitmer told Fox 2’s Roop Raj on Thursday morning, the third day of the annual Mackinac Policy Conference.

Spokepersons for the governor’s office said she was unavailable for an interview. A spokeswoman for Whitmer’s political operation did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Later in the day, Whitmer appeared to attempt to walk back her statement during an on-stage interview at the conference.

“I never thought I would run for governor,” Whitmer said. “I guess I should know better ... never say never.”

“I don’t want any distractions as I wrap up my eight years as governor,” she added. “At this juncture, I’ve got nothing to announce.”

In a video clip of the interview, Whitmer said she has spoken to a variety of people about her plans, including former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and former GOP U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan. Buttigieg and Raimondo were both on Mackinac Island this week for the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual policy conference.

“That’s the advice everyone says: ‘Take a little bit of time,’ and so that’s what I’m going to do,” Whitmer said.

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