Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer Not Involved in VP Vetting Process Recently, Expects Decision Soon

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is rumored to be a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, has stated that she has not been part of the vetting process since Monday. As the co-chair of the Harris campaign and governor of Michigan, Whitmer has made it clear that she plans to remain in her current position until the end of her term in 2026.

During an interview with CBS Mornings, Whitmer mentioned that a decision on Harris' running mate is expected to be made in the next six to seven days. The governor expressed confidence that the identity of the pick will soon be known, and preparations for the convention will commence.

Addressing the rumor circulating in the news and on social media that Harris must select a white man to win the election, Whitmer firmly disagreed. She highlighted the success of leading female executives in Michigan, including herself, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General, stating that the idea of "too many women" on the ticket has already been disproven in the swing state.

The Harris campaign has previously announced that they are seeking a running mate who would complement the vice president and help unite enough voters to defeat Donald Trump. Preferences include individuals from battleground states or those who can appeal to rural, moderate, or Rust Belt voters.

Several names have emerged as potential candidates undergoing the vetting process. These include North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly from Arizona, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and Cedric Richmond, a former congressman from Louisiana who served as a top aide in the Biden White House and on his campaign.

With the decision on Harris' running mate anticipated within the next week, political observers are eagerly awaiting the announcement that could shape the trajectory of the 2020 presidential race.