Whitmer Says U.S. is Ready for a Woman President

WHO:

NBC News - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she believes the United States is ready to elect a woman president and said she could be the best choice to defeat a potential Republican nominee in 2028: “I do.”

NBC News Politics - In an exclusive “Meet the Press” interview, Whitmer said America could elect a woman president in 2028 and did not rule out running herself.

NBC News - Whitmer cited Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as Republicans widely expected to run for president in 2028. She said, “I would put my money on any Democratic governor in the country against [Vice President] JD Vance or [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio in 2028.”

NBC News - Women widely speculated as potential candidates in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary include Whitmer and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

NBC News - Other Democratic governors regarded as potential 2028 candidates include California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

NBC News - Whitmer voiced support for Amy Acton, a former public health official and Democratic nominee for Ohio governor. Acton’s opponent is Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

NBC News - Acton has said she has been estranged from her mother for nearly 50 years and accused her late stepfather, Cledith Arthur, of sexually abusing her. Acton and her brother were removed from their mother’s custody in 1978 after Arthur was arrested on a child rape charge. Acton’s mother had not responded to requests for comment.

NBC News - Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted condemned Ramaswamy’s ad; Husted was in a tight reelection race.

WHAT:

NBC News - Whitmer pushed back against Michelle Obama’s remarks that voters were not ready to elect a woman president. Obama said, “As we saw in this past election, sadly, we ain’t ready,” and, “You’re not ready for a woman. You are not.”

NBC News - Whitmer did not deny exploring a presidential run. She said she would decide what to do after leaving the governorship and told Kristen Welker, “I’m going to take a little time off and figure out what I want to do next.”

NBC News - Whitmer earlier said, “I will not be one of them in 2028,” referring to a prospective group of presidential candidates, then added, “I never thought I would run for governor. So I guess I should know better to never say never.”

NBC News - Ramaswamy released a television ad featuring Acton’s mother calling Acton a “liar.” Whitmer called the situation “absolutely abhorrent” and said backlash makes it harder for survivors of sexual assault to seek help.

NBC News - Whitmer said she would focus on helping Acton “over the finish line” and on electing people who put people at the heart of their work.

NBC News - Newsom, Pritzker, Moore and Shapiro had been traveling around the country campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial candidates in competitive races.

WHERE:

NBC News - The interview aired on NBC News’ “Meet the Press”; Whitmer discussed the 2028 presidential contest and Acton’s Ohio gubernatorial race.

WHEN:

NBC News - Whitmer said she would leave office in January and then take time to consider her next steps.

NBC News - The articles identify 2028 as the year of the next presidential contest discussed by Whitmer.

WHY:

NBC News - Whitmer said she wanted to help elect Acton and described the response to Acton’s personal history as an example of backlash that can deter sexual-assault survivors from seeking help.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 16:05 UTC)

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the United States is ready to elect a woman president in 2028, and she did not rule out running herself. In an interview on “Meet the Press,” she pushed back against Michelle Obama’s view that voters were not ready, saying she would back any Democratic governor against likely Republican contenders JD Vance or Marco Rubio. Whitmer said she would leave office in January, take time off and decide what comes next. She has previously said she would not be among the 2028 candidates, but added that she should never say never. Whitmer also voiced support for Ohio Democratic gubernatorial nominee Amy Acton, who is challenging Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. She condemned his ad featuring Acton’s mother calling her a liar, describing the situation as abhorrent. Whitmer said the backlash could deter sexual-assault survivors from seeking help and said she would focus on helping Acton win.