Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer promoted her new memoir and fielded questions Thursday at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin. Whitmer was the opening keynote speaker at the end of the Festival’s first day, addressing a packed house at the Paramount Theatre during an interview with Evan Smith, co-founder of The Texas Tribune.
Whitmer reentered the political spotlight after being floated as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee. She also drew national attention in 2020 after multiple members of a local militia were arrested for conspiring to kidnap her.
When asked about Michigan’s role as a swing state despite its current narrow Democratic majority, Whitmer chalked it up to Michigan’s title as the most diverse state in the nation.
“People came from all across the globe for a job on the line at Ford or General Motors,” she said.
Her response to questions about a recent CNN poll showing Michigan as five points ahead for Harris was unyielding.
“Don’t get comfortable,” she said. “You can’t sleep on Michigan.”
Despite Michigan’s uncertain fate in November, some believe Whitmer is a front runner for a future presidential nomination.
“If you don’t have her in your bingo card (to one day be president), you may be the only one,” Smith said.
After being pressed by Smith on future aspirations toward the White House, Whitmer pointed to her previous successes as a possible reason why she’s often considered.
“I’m from a very important swing state, … and I’ve won by double digits,” she said.
Whitmer also made clear her removal from consideration for the vice president slot was in no way due to the claim by some that two women on the ballot would sink the ticket’s chances of success.
“I didn’t take my name out of the race because America’s not ready for two women,” she said. “We are, right?”
The crowd erupted into its loudest applause of the night following the question.
Whitmer focused heavily on her book, “True Gretch,” which was released in July, and recounted some of its most impactful stories. She addressed the 2020 kidnapping plot, recounted her experience being raped in college and highlighted a 2013 law that required women in Michigan to pay higher prices monthly for insurance in case they were raped or had an unwanted pregnancy.
After being reelected in 2022 when Democrats gained control of Michigan’s house, senate, secretary of state and attorney general offices, Whitmer took action against the decade-old piece of legislation.
“Ten years to the day (the law was passed), I got to sign the repeal of that legislation,” Whitmer said.
Whitmer also spoke to the need for more women in politics. She expressed appreciation for the “trailblazers that paved the way,” including Jennifer Granholm, the first female governor of Michigan, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, whom Whitmer said she believes laid the groundwork for Harris’ current campaign.
“I’m always thinking about showing up as I am so people after me don’t even have to think about it,” Whitmer said.
She concluded Smith’s interview by answering the question on every Austinite’s mind: What will the outcome of this weekend’s Texas-Michigan game be?
“I am a (proud) Michigan State Spartan,” she said. “That being said, they don’t have the same coach, quarterback or half the same team, … so I think it’ll be a very spirited competition.”