Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said she is not interested in changing jobs.
The Detroit Free Press reported that Whitmer, a rising star in the Democratic Party, announced her endorsement of U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris for the party's presidential nomination, one day after President Joe Biden's announcement that he will not seek a second term.
There has been speculation about the governor's political future, which intensified over the past few weeks. Whitmer had been included in various "short lists" of possible running mates for Harris, and is thought to be mulling over a shot at the 2028 Democratic nomination for president.
But Whitmer told reporters in Lansing Monday that she isn't interested in Washington.
"I am not leaving Michigan," Whitmer told WLNS-TV's Tim Skubick, as quoted by the Free Press. "I'm proud to be the governor of Michigan. I have been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and over again. I know you’re doing your job. I'm not going anywhere."
Harris, the first woman and the first person of colour to serve as vice president, received the personal blessing of Biden not long after he announced his withdrawal. Harris had promised supporters that she would "earn and win" the party nomination.
Biden had already earned enough delegates to take the nomination, but those delegates are released now that Biden has dropped out. Democratic Party rules prohibit Biden from passing his convention delegates to Harris.
If a majority of delegates is not pledged to Harris before the Democratic National Convention begins on August 19 in Chicago, it will be the first "open" convention since 1968, and the delegates attending will select the candidate to challenge former U.S. President Donald Trump in the November general election.