Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed a willingness to work with Donald Trump in an interview this week, saying the president-elect clearly cares about Michigan.
“Like the majority of Americans, the people of Michigan voted for Donald Trump. My oath is in Michigan.” Whitmer said. CNN At the Democratic Governors Conference in Los Angeles. “Obviously, I have experience in this type of environment and that will help me with how I continue to fight for Michigan. But I know Donald Trump cares about Michigan and… I hope that because of that we can find common ground on some important points. ”
Trump won Michigan back in the 2024 election, when he aims to retake the White House. Whitmer is widely seen as a potential candidate for the White House in 2028, having served two terms as governor of a battleground state.
Given the federal government's ability to allocate aid and prioritize efforts in certain states, Whitmer appears to have a strategy of not antagonizing Trump in public.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks during a press conference at Michigan State University on November 7, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
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Whitmer and Trump clash in the media during his first term, particularly over his administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic. She was floated as Kamala Harris' running mate, but withdrew consideration to complete her second term in office, which ends in 2027.
Another governor at the meeting, New York's Kathy Hochul, said she had already spoken by phone with President Trump, touting her status as an iconic New Yorker.
Hochul called him “a president who is a New Yorker, a former New Yorker, and understands how important that is to the success of our state.”
Democratic governors note that they are the 'last line of defense' against Trump
Donald Trump will be interviewed by Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press” on Sunday. (Screenshot/NBC)
Other Democratic governors at the meeting argued that it was the last line of defense against the second Trump administration.
“It would be irresponsible not to anticipate all the scenarios of what could happen, especially by listening to what the president is saying, what his advisers are saying, what his appointees are saying, what candidates for various positions are saying, and what Project 2025 is. ''' Hochul told CNN. “I have to be acutely aware of all these potential challenges and have a strategy to respond to each one should they actually arise. So I'm currently playing some level of defense and putting together a game plan. , I am willing to work on it.”
As the Biden administration draws to a close, Democrats find themselves without clear national leadership. President Biden, like Ms. Harris after her painful loss to Mr. Trump, has rarely been seen in public.
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The 2028 Democratic primary is wide-ranging and could feature multiple governors, including Whitmer, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
