Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in NH, touts Kamala Harris and 'new sense of energy'

NASHUA — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Vice President Kamala Harris “should be bold” when choosing her running mate.

While the two-term governor is one of at least seven Democrats being vetted by the Harris campaign, she has repeatedly said that she not interested in the position. She reiterated that to reporters on Thursday in New Hampshire, saying she’s “not going anywhere” and remains committed to her role as Michigan’s governor.

Whitmer said the current field of vice presidential candidates, which includes Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, and fellow Michigander Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, are all “wonderful.”

“I am a little biased toward governors because, you know, I think executive experience would be a helpful thing in the White House. But Mark Kelly is fantastic, Josh Shapiro, there’s just a great list of people that I know that they’re talking to,” Whitmer said. “As a governor who handpicks my running mate in Michigan, I just know that having someone that you can trust who shares your values, and that you get along with, I think, is paramount and only she can make that decision.”

While the current field is largely white men, Whitmer said she believes Harris “feels the same way” that they should be “bold” with their choice, adding two women or two people of color on the presidential ticket would be “exciting.”

Whitmer says Harris brings renewed sense of energy in 2024 election

Whitmer was in New Hampshire on behalf of Harris and in her capacity as a co-chair of Harris’ campaign, a similar role she had with President Joe Biden's campaign prior to him dropping out of the race and endorsing Harris.

In front of a small crowd at Liquid Therapy in Nashua, she touched on topics ranging from reproductive freedom to Project 2025 in a discussion moderated by former House Speaker Terie Norelli, a Democrat from Portsmouth.

It was Whitmer’s first visit to the Granite State. She said she chose to visit now because “people in New Hampshire matter” and the Harris campaign is taking “no vote, no community for granted.” She emphasized the importance of connecting with those across the country who may find the political news cycle “overwhelming.”

Like New Hampshire, Michigan is a swing state that will be critical for either party to secure victory in the presidential election. New Hampshire has four electoral votes while Michigan has 15 and is considered a key battleground state.

Both states have tended to vote Democratic, but former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, won Michigan in 2016, before losing the state to Biden in 2020. Trump led Biden in recent polling in New Hampshire, where Biden won in 2020 and Hillary Clinton won in 2016.

Biden’s exit was a surprise to her, Whitmer said, and she emphasized her gratitude for the “sacrifices he made on behalf of others.” But since he exited the race, Whitmer said she’s seen a renewed sense of energy and excitement, something that she doesn’t normally see this early in an election.

“It is going to be joyous, inclusive, future-forward-looking convention,” Whitmer said of the Democratic National Convention, scheduled to take place from Aug. 19-22 in Chicago. “November 5, then, after polls close, we can have a cocktail and cheers to Madam President.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer campaigns for Kamala Harris in NH