Despite her insistence that she is not interested in going to Washington, D.C., Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has again roused suspicions that she may be tapped as a potential running mate for the eventual Democratic presidential candidate.
Whitmer took to the national stage earlier on Tuesday as the pick to deliver the Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union address. In her address, she touched on infrastructure and healthcare, while calling for the United States to listen to Trump’s actions, rather than words.
“Instead of talking about what [Trump] is saying; I am going to highlight what Democrats are doing,” Whitmer said, speaking from East Lansing High School. “After all, you can listen to what someone says, but to know the truth — watch what they do.”
Her national appearance has again sparked talks of her possibly being a running mate, according to Fox News and The New York Times. Whitmer previously quashed similar rumors in September, telling 6 News Capitol Correspondent Tim Skubick that “all this speculation is such a distraction from all the stuff that I’m trying to get done and so I’m not going to engage in it.”
She maintained her answer during the latest round of speculation, emphasizing her commitment to Michigan and its residents and saying that she has no desire to go to Washington, D.C., even as vice president.
When asked what she would say if the eventual Democratic presidential candidate called and offered her the job, Whitmer said she prefers Michigan.
“I’d be very flattered, but I’ve told you many times: I love Michigan. I’ve run for office in Michigan to stay close to the people that I represent and to be home, to be near my family, and nothing has changed on any of those fronts,” she said, according to Fox News.
She then told Fox News she would “take anyone’s call,” although she did not reveal exactly what she would say.
“I’m going to take anyone’s call if it comes but here’s the thing: I’m not interested in going to Washington, D.C. — I never have been,” she said.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with Battleground State News and The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
