Potential 2028 presidential contenders hit the trail in this year's big campaigns

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is among the possible presidential hopefuls hitting the campaign trail in New Jersey and Virginia as Democrats try to chart a path forward after President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory.

PARAMUS, N.J. — As Detroit rapper Gmac Cash’s “Big Gretch” blared through the speakers at a union hall, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer walked out onto the rally stage. But the Democrat wasn’t campaigning in her home state.

Whitmer found herself in New Jersey on Saturday morning, just more than two weeks before voters select their next governor in one of two governor’s contests in the country this year.

“Some of you might know me as ‘Big Gretch,’” Whitmer said. “Some people refer to me as 'that woman from Michigan.' However you know me, I am damn glad to be here in the Garden State this morning.”

Whitmer then made her pitch for Rep. Mikie Sherrill to join the ranks of Democratic governors — a speech that also doubled as a potential preview of a Whitmer pitch to lead the Democratic Party.

She is among the possible presidential hopefuls hitting the campaign trail in New Jersey and Virginia as Democrats try to chart a path after President Donald Trump’s 2024 victory. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also joined Sherrill over the weekend, while Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota stumped for her this month. In Virginia, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is set to appear with former Rep. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday, while Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear campaigned in the state last month.