Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated that her state is preparing for potential efforts to disrupt voting in 2026 and 2028. She indicated that assuming such efforts would not occur would be a mistake, and that Democrats are preparing through "table top" exercises.
Regarding concerns that the deployment of federal personnel for immigration crackdowns could be used to control elections, Whitmer commented that it is not "paranoia" to have this concern. She mentioned that Democratic governors are discussing responses and conducting "table top" exercises, though she did not provide specific details.
Whitmer also commented on former President Trump's tariffs, asserting they have "taken a terrible toll" on U.S. auto manufacturing. She noted that while some United Auto Workers union leaders support tariffs, she believes they lead to job losses and a contraction of U.S. manufacturing. Whitmer stated her focus is on actions beneficial to the Michigan and U.S. economies.
The governor discussed efforts to understand a reported loss of Democratic support among men. She observed that in programs designed to make college or skill sets more affordable and to assist with first home payments, women participated at a two-to-one ratio compared to men. She expressed a desire to bridge this gap.
Finally, Whitmer stated her belief that America is ready to elect a woman president. She acknowledged former First Lady Michelle Obama's prior comment that voters were not ready, but attributed Kamala Harris's 2024 defeat to a variety of factors beyond just gender.