Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Denies Being a Part of the Vetting for Harris’ VP Pick
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has unequivocally stated that she is “not a part of the vetting” process for Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, dispelling the whirlwind of speculation about her becoming part of the ticket. “I have communicated with everyone, including the people of Michigan, that I’m going to stay as governor until the end of my term at the end of 2026,” Whitmer asserted.
Michigan Governor Squelches Speculation
There was considerable conjecture pegging Whitmer as a strong contender on the ticket after President Biden opted out of the race and backed Harris. However, Whitmer has been consistently adamant that her role in the election will not change following Biden’s endorsement of Harris. She has also sought to put to bed rumours hinting her potential selection as Harris’s VP choice, despite reports suggesting her inclusion in a list of approximately a dozen people being vetted.
Gov. Whitmer, who secured a convincing victory in her reelection in 2022 while assisting in consolidating a Democratic trifecta in her state, is one of the leading voices within the Democratic Party. She is confident that Harris has “a great group of people from whom she’s going to pick her running mate,” and sees herself remaining a valuable ally for Harris in Michigan as a campaign co-chair. Accordingly, Whitmer anticipates Harris will select her running mate within a week.
Female Representation in Politics
Addressing the claim that Harris should choose a male running mate, Whitmer firmly disagreed, noting that every chief executive in Michigan’s government is female. “Every one of us was told there may be too many women on the ticket,” Whitmer remarked sympathetically, adding “Baloney. We’ve proved that wrong in the swingingest of swing states.”
Democratic National Convention Approaching
Whitmer forecasts that Harris will finalize her VP choice in the coming week as the Democratic Party preps for the crucial roll call vote to select the nominee before the Democratic National Convention. She projects a “convention of happy warriors” next month, heralding a wave of excitement following Harris’s ascension to the presidential ticket.
“We are seeing on the ground a lot of enthusiasm and excitement,” Whitmer affirmed. “People are wanting to be a part of this moment and see the opportunity.”
Focus Shifts to the Convention and Beyond
As a co-chair of Harris’s campaign, Whitmer emphasised that with a new standard bearer, a significant part of the party’s focus will shift towards preparing for the convention. According to Whitmer, this is where “we can show people across the country that a Harris administration means your life’s gonna get better.” She added that Harris’s problem-solving dexterity will be clearly manifest after the convention.
In the following weeks, a broader communications strategy is expected to unfold since a national television ad campaign is conspicuously absent. However, the campaign has already experienced significant momentum since Harris entered the race – the campaign revealed that it raised $200 million and added 170,000 new volunteers in the last week.
Stakes High in Upcoming Election
Despite the fresh energy within the campaign, Whitmer warned that the election remains high stakes for the Democratic party. With the outcome likely to be decided in the last moments, Whitmer emphasized the party’s ability to uplift and support each other. “We see one another; we uplift one another. We find joy in doing the work and helping people,” Whitmer stated confidently.
