Mitchell Research & Communications
60%50%40%30%20%10%0%
47%
2028 Democratic VP nominee
$1.8M
NOV 7, 2028Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyMainstream Democrat
Age54 years old (Aug 23, 1971)
GenderFemale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundPolitician
EducationMichigan State University (BA)
Notable personal detailsGretchen Esther Whitmer is an American politician and attorney who has served as the 49th governor of Michigan since 2019. A Democrat, she previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate, including as Senate Democratic leader. She earned both her bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from Michigan State University.
SourcesShowHide
michigan.govcongress.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgbritannica.comfacebook.commichiganpublic.orgaxios.comnga.orges.wikipedia.orgdemocraticgovernors.orgfactcheck.orglegislature.mi.goveducation.nga.orgarxiv.orgmichiganbusiness.orgapnews.commichamber.commackinac.orgwxyz.comwashingtonpost.comwglt.orgcbsnews.comabcnews.go.comstatic.politico.compolitico.comsenate.govhouse.govpeters.senate.govgovinfo.govwyden.senate.govepw.senate.govrepublicans-science.house.govhuizenga.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
As governor, Gretchen Whitmer has supported a mix of tax policies including targeted tax cuts and credits for individuals and small businesses, business incentives and R&D tax credits, and proposals to raise revenues from large corporations and new wholesale taxes to fund road infrastructure. Her record shows both support for using taxes and targeted incentives to promote economic development and proposals to increase certain business taxes to pay for state priorities, producing a mixed pattern on economy and tax policy.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to health coverage through government programs and strengthening the Affordable Care Act; has led state efforts to expand Medicaid (the Healthy Michigan Plan), increase Medicaid reimbursement and access to behavioral and telehealth services, and oppose federal Medicaid cuts. Emphasizes lowering costs, expanding mental and maternal health services, and protecting coverage for vulnerable residents.
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Immigration & Border
Supports welcoming immigrants and refugees, including state proclamations recognizing Immigrant Heritage Month and World Refugee Day, and backing state measures to integrate undocumented residents (e.g., supporting driver’s licenses). At the same time she has publicly supported federal actions to strengthen border security that make removals of those unlawfully present easier.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports broad reproductive freedom including access to abortion and medical reproductive care. As governor, she backed the constitutional protection of reproductive freedom in Michigan (Proposal 3), issued executive actions to implement those protections, and signed the Reproductive Health Act to repeal restrictive laws and protect medication abortion and IVF access.
Climate & Energy
Supports economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2050 with interim greenhouse gas reduction targets and has advanced state policies to transition Michigan’s electric grid and transportation toward clean energy, including targets for high shares of renewable/clean power and investments in electrification and clean-energy jobs.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-safety measures including universal background checks, safe-storage requirements, and extreme risk protection orders while also investing in law enforcement and initiatives to remove illegal guns from communities. Has established a state task force on gun violence prevention and signed multiple bills to strengthen penalties for domestic abusers and keep guns out of the hands of people prohibited from possessing them.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 1, 2026
Gretchen Whitmer is in the news after repeatedly addressing speculation about a 2028 presidential run. She first said she would not run, then softened that denial by saying, "Never say never," leaving her future plans open. Separately, reports say her national profile has been seen as weaker as she has focused on working with President Donald Trump on state issues, even as Michigan remains a key battleground state for the 2026 midterms.
michigan.gov+33
Articles
NNewsmax3 days ago
Whitmer Walks Back Remarks Ruling Out White House Bid
Neutral
TPThe Philadelphia Inquirer4 days ago
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she won’t run for president in 2028
Neutral
REReading Eagle4 days ago
Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan says she won't run for president in 2028
Neutral
CNCable News Network4 days ago
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’s not running for president in 2028
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements
- Fundraising