Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is taking decisive action to safeguard her state's electoral infrastructure against potential interference in the upcoming 2026 and 2028 elections. In an exclusive interview conducted at the Detroit Auto Show, the term-limited Democratic leader revealed that Michigan is engaged in sophisticated planning exercises designed to anticipate and neutralize possible disruptions to the voting process.
The setting of the interview carried symbolic weight. Huntington Place, where the auto show unfolds, served as a ballot-counting center during the contentious 2020 election, when it became the target of pro-Trump protesters who attempted to stop the vote count by banging on windows and demanding entry. This historical backdrop provides a vivid reminder of the real threats to electoral integrity that Whitmer and her administration are working to prevent.
Entering her eighth and final year as governor, Whitmer has reached her term limit and cannot seek re-election. While she remains a prominent figure in Democratic politics and is frequently mentioned as a potential presidential or vice-presidential candidate for 2028, she has made no official moves toward a national campaign. Currently serving as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association, she maintains that her focus is squarely on supporting other Democratic candidates rather than advancing her own ambitions.
During the interview, Whitmer was careful not to level specific accusations against the Trump administration regarding election interference plans. However, she emphasized that assuming such interference won't occur would be a critical error. "It would be a mistake to assume that they're not going to," she stated, reflecting a cautious but concerned posture shared by many Democratic officials in swing states.
The governor described Michigan's preparation strategy as involving tabletop exercises, a method of crisis simulation where key stakeholders gather to walk through potential scenarios and develop response protocols. These sessions bring together what Whitmer described as "smart, sophisticated, savvy people" to brainstorm various ways that election processes could be undermined and how to counteract such efforts effectively.
When pressed for more details about these exercises, Whitmer remained deliberately opaque. "There are important reasons that I'm not going to go into a whole lot more detail," she explained, suggesting that transparency about specific preparations could compromise their effectiveness. This discretion indicates the sensitive nature of election security planning and the potential for adversaries to adapt their strategies if they know how states are preparing.
A particularly concerning scenario for Democratic governors involves the potential weaponization of federal immigration enforcement operations for electoral purposes. The Trump administration's aggressive deployment of thousands of federal personnel into American cities has raised alarms among state officials who fear these operations could be used to intimidate voters, particularly in immigrant communities, or disrupt polling places on election day.
When asked whether these concerns might be dismissed as paranoia, Whitmer offered a firm rebuttal: "I don't think it's paranoia to have that concern." She confirmed that Democratic governors are actively discussing coordinated responses to such possibilities and conducting their own tabletop exercises, though she again declined to provide specifics about their strategies.
The interview also delved into economic issues central to Michigan's identity and prosperity. Whitmer used her platform at the Detroit Auto Show to highlight how global supply chains are integral to American automotive manufacturing, with Canada serving as a particularly crucial partner for parts and materials. She noted that tariffs implemented in 2025 have already inflicted billions of dollars in costs on automakers, threatening the industry's competitiveness and the state's economic health.
The United Auto Workers union has publicly supported tariffs, hoping they would incentivize companies to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. Whitmer acknowledged this position but pointed to evidence of a contraction of U.S. manufacturing and associated job losses as a counterargument. She emphasized that the true measure of economic policy success is whether working families can afford to care for their loved ones, suggesting that current tariff policies are failing that fundamental test.
When questioned about her approach to persuading union leadership to reconsider their stance, Whitmer displayed her characteristic directness. "I'm not working to persuade them to change their mind. I'm doing what I know to be the right thing to do for the Michigan economy, for the United States economy," she declared. This statement underscores her commitment to data-driven policy decisions over political expediency.
The governor's 2025 state of the state address included a poignant warning about "a generation of men falling behind their fathers and their grandfathers," highlighting her concern about declining economic mobility and the erosion of the American dream in communities dependent on manufacturing.
As Whitmer prepares to leave office, her legacy will likely be defined by her handling of crises ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to economic transformation and democratic resilience. Her proactive stance on election security, even without specific evidence of planned interference, demonstrates a philosophy of preparedness that she believes is essential for protecting democratic institutions.
The governor's approach reflects a broader trend among Democratic-led states that are building robust defenses against potential challenges to electoral integrity. By conducting tabletop exercises and fostering inter-state coordination, these officials are creating a network of preparedness that they hope will deter interference and ensure that future elections remain free and fair.
Whitmer's dual focus on both democratic institutions and economic prosperity reveals her understanding of their interconnectedness. She recognizes that faith in elections depends not just on security measures but also on whether citizens believe the system can deliver economic opportunity and stability.
In her final year, Whitmer appears determined to strengthen Michigan's democratic foundations and economic resilience, setting a standard for leadership that prioritizes institutional integrity over partisan advantage. Her warnings and preparations serve as both a practical safeguard and a cautionary tale about the fragility of democratic norms in an era of increasing political polarization.
The governor's experience navigating these complex challenges positions her as a key voice in national conversations about both election security and economic policy. While she remains noncommittal about her own political future, her actions suggest she will continue to play an influential role in shaping Democratic strategy and protecting democratic institutions regardless of her official title.
Whitmer's emphasis on preparation over reaction represents a strategic shift in how states approach potential threats to elections. Rather than waiting for interference to occur and then responding, Michigan and other states are attempting to anticipate and neutralize threats before they materialize. This forward-thinking approach, while resource-intensive, reflects the high stakes of maintaining public confidence in electoral outcomes.
The interview concluded with Whitmer reinforcing her commitment to protecting Michigan's democratic institutions and economic interests, even as she navigates the complexities of partisan politics and federal-state tensions. Her proactive stance on election security reflects a broader pattern among Democratic-led states preparing for potential challenges to electoral integrity in the coming years.