Pritzker, Whitmer endorse Harris as governors fall in line

WASHINGTON – Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker and Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Ms Kamala Harris for the presidency, ending speculation that they might challenge the vice-president for the nomination.

With the two Great Lakes governors backing Ms Harris, that significantly narrows the field of Democrats whose names have been mentioned as possible candidates who might try to push for an open convention in order to face off against former President Donald Trump in November. 

Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Wes Moore of Maryland had previously given their endorsement after President Joe Biden withdrew on July 21, along with governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina and Andy Beshear of Kentucky. The governors have also been touted as possible vice-presidential picks. 

Ms Whitmer, who had been in the mix to be Mr Biden’s running mate in 2020 and has long been seen as one of the Democratic party’s rising talents and as a potential presidential candidate, said she would not accept an offer to be Ms Harris’ running mate.

“I’m not planning to go anywhere,” Ms Whitmer told WLNS News in Lansing. “I am not leaving Michigan. I have been consistent. I know everyone is suspicious in asking this question over and over again. I’m not going anywhere.”

Mr Pritzker, who was slower to issue his support of Ms Harris than some other governors, said that he spent hours on July 21 talking with other Democrats before issuing his endorsement.

“Vice-President Harris has proven, at every point in her career, that she possesses the skills, strength, and character to lead this country,” Mr Pritzker said in a statement, adding he “spent hours yesterday talking to fellow leaders in our party getting and giving input about the road to victory in November. I am also cognisant of the unique role we play here in Illinois as hosts of the Democratic National Convention.”

Mr Pritzker publicly backed Mr Biden after his disastrous debate performance against Trump, but he also voiced some frustration with the campaign. In early July, he urged Mr Biden to address the nation to allay concerns over his candidacy and he was also caught on a hot microphone saying “I don’t like where we are” in mid-July.

The Illinois Democratic party also endorsed Ms Harris on July 22, one day after sending members an e-mail asking them to hold off publicly commenting on Mr Biden’s decision outside thanking the president, according to a copy of the memo seen by Bloomberg. BLOOMBERG