Could Gretchen Whitmer be the first female president of the US? The governor of Michigan just released her memoir True Gretch, ‘swears like a sailor’ – and the FBI foiled a plot to kidnap and kill her

Jul 14 , 2024

Governor of Michigan Gretchen Whitmer is being discussed as one of the possible candidates to replace Joe Biden, should he decide to step down. Photo: @gewhitmer/Instagram

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has risen above kidnap plots, insurrections, and taunts from Donald Trump – now there’s talk about her possibly becoming the Democratic presidential candidate

The 52-year old mother of 2 just released a well-timed memoir as her name continues to be bandied about to replace Joe Biden, but says the rumours are just a ‘distraction’ from doing her job

As the hand-wringing among America’s Democrats continues following President Joe Biden’s weak debate performance at the end of June, several potential candidates are being touted to replace him.

One of those is Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. And while she’s batted away the idea that she would run – “It’s a distraction … I’m totally focused on governing and campaigning for the [Biden-Kamala Harris] ticket,” she told AP – her pleas are falling on deaf ears.

US President Joe Biden speaking to Detroit auto workers beside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in February. Photo: Reuters

According to Politico, “the Democratic donor class has swooned for Whitmer” ever since the debate. What’s more, the 52-year-old has just released a memoir, True Gretch. The Washington Post’s summary of the book? A “welcome reassurance that someone might be courageous and capable enough to run toward the fire that’s making kindling of our democracy”.

It seems that if things start to get worse for Biden, Whitmer may well find her star in the ascendant – here’s what you need to know about her.

What is Gretchen Whitmer’s background?

Gretchen Whitmer is the eldest of three in her family. Photo: @gewhitmer/Instagram

Whitmer is the eldest of three children born to Sherry and Richard Whitmer in Michigan. Her late mother was assistant attorney general in the state and a Democrat, while her father was a director of the Michigan department of commerce and is a Republican.

Gretchen Whitmer’s parents were both public servants before their retirement. Photo: @gewhitmer/Instagram

In a Vanity Fair profile, Whitman remembered her mother as someone who was “fierce”, “unapologetic about owning her own space” and who always wore “hot pink blazers to court”. Photos of the governor wearing the colour herself on several important occasions suggest that the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Gretchen Whitmer is the current governor of Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer was elected governor of Michigan in 2018. Photo: @gewhitmer/Instagram