Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says America is ready to elect a woman

Key Points:

• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer challenged former first lady Michelle Obama's 2025 assertion that U.S. voters aren’t ready to elect a female president, expressing confidence that any Democratic governor could defeat likely Republican contenders in 2028.
• Whitmer affirmed that a woman could be the best candidate to beat potential GOP nominees like JD Vance or Marco Rubio in the 2028 presidential race, though she has not confirmed whether she will run herself.
• While Whitmer has previously denied and then softened claims about a 2028 presidential bid, she said she will decide her future plans after leaving the governor’s office in January.
• Whitmer also voiced strong support for Amy Acton, the Democratic nominee for Ohio governor, condemning attacks against Acton amid a contentious campaign and highlighting the broader challenges faced by sexual assault survivors.
• Other Democratic governors such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, Wes Moore, and Josh Shapiro are also considered potential 2028 presidential candidates and are actively campaigning in key races ahead of the midterms.