Michigan Gov. Whitmer denies interest in VP position, says she is 'not leaving Michigan'

Michigan's Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer denied interest on Monday in becoming Vice President Kamala Harris' running mate this November, maintaining that she was committed to her home state.

Whitmer, who endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee for president now that President Joe Biden has suspended his presidential campaign, has been floated as a top vice presidential pick because of Michigan's status as a battleground state.

The governor said she will be co-chair of Harris' presidential campaign, but that she was not interested in running for higher office this year. 

"I am not leaving Michigan. I am proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent," Whitmer told The Detroit News. "I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and over again ... I am not going anywhere."

Whitmer gave Harris her official endorsement in a post on social media on Monday morning, praising her background as a prosecutor, and touted Harris' as a "champion for reproductive freedom."

"In Vice President Harris, Michigan voters have a candidate they can count on to lower their costs, protect their freedoms, and build an economy that works for working people," the governor said in a post on X. "Donald Trump is a convicted felon who stokes violence, overturned Roe, and drove our economy into the ground. We cannot let him anywhere near the White House."

Harris secured Biden's endorsement on Sunday, shortly after he dropped his bid for reelection. She still needs to secure enough delegates to officially become the nominee at the convention in Chicago next month, but hundreds of delegates have already begun to rally behind her. 

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.