Prominent governor drops out of running to be Harris' VP
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who has frequently been floated as a potential Democratic candidate for president, waved away suggestions she might be tapped as Kamala Harris' vice presidential pick on Monday.
Asked Monday by the Detroit News if she was interested in being Harris' VP, she said, "I am not leaving Michigan. I am proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and over again ... I am not going anywhere."
Whitmer said on X, “Today, not only am I fired up to endorse Kamala Harris for President of the United States, I’m proud to serve as a co-chair of her campaign.”
“In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a presidential candidate they can count on to focus on lowering their costs, restoring their freedoms, bringing jobs and supply chains back home from overseas, and building an economy that works for working people," Whitmer said in a statement.
As co-chair of Harris' campaign, Whitmer will be taking on a role she also had on President Joe Biden's re-election effort.
Whitmer had received some support to be Harris' vice presidential pick. Former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed Whitmer to be vice president Sunday evening, calling a ticket combining Vice President Kamala Harris and the Michigan governor “the winning hand” for Democrats after President Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign Sunday afternoon.
Raw Story has reported that Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear are already being vetted as possible Harris running mates.