Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pushed back on Michelle Obama’s claim that the U.S. is not ready to elect a woman president. Appearing on NBC’s “Meet the Press”, the Democrat argued that her party should focus on its message rather than rule out potential candidates ahead of the 2028 election.
The Hill reported that Whitmer was asked about Obama’s past comments and pointed to fellow Democratic governors who might be interested in running for president. “Listen, I have got a lot of colleagues who I think are probably interested in running for president, and I’ve heard everyone say ‘you can’t have this person’ or ‘that person.’” Whitmer said.
She then named two potential Republican opponents: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “I would put my money on any Democratic governor in the country against JD Vance or Marco Rubio in 2028. So time will tell who the slate of candidates are,” she said. She added that Democrats should “stay focused on delivering for people and making their lives easier and helping to keep more money in your pocket.”
Whitmer says Democrats could win with a woman in 2028
“I think that’s going to be a compelling message for whomever the candidate is,” she said. Asked if the 2028 Democratic nominee could be a woman, Whitmer said, “I do.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is also being discussed as a potential contender. She has led a poll of potential 2028 Democratic nominees, adding to speculation about who could represent the party.
Obama made her comments in 2025, following former Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss to President Donald Trump. Speaking at an event at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, she said, “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready.”
“That’s why I’m like, don’t even look at me about running, because you all are lying. You’re not ready for a woman. You are not,” Obama added, dismissing suggestions that she should run for president herself.
NBC Philadelphia reports that Whitmer plans to decide her next steps after leaving office in January. “When I exit office … I’m going to take a little time off and figure out what I want to do next, so I’ve got nothing new to share with you, unfortunately,” Whitmer told Welker.
Harris and Ocasio-Cortez both hit the campaign trail earlier this month to rally with candidates in battleground races. Harris has left open the possibility of a 2028 run, but neither she nor Ocasio-Cortez has formally announced plans to run, and Whitmer previously said she would not seek the presidency in 2028.
Other potential contenders include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. All have been traveling the country to campaign for gubernatorial candidates ahead of the midterms.
Whitmer has sent mixed signals before. In April, she told WJBK-TV, “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.” She later said. “I never thought I would run for governor. So I guess I should know better to never say never,” she said. Changing course is not new in politics. Barack Obama said he would not run in 2008 before reversing that decision.
Published: Oct 26, 2026 12:45 pm