Joe Biden Considered Alternative VP Choice over Kamala Harris in 2020
New reporting has revealed that President Joe Biden once favored Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer as his 2020 running mate. The profile, published Sunday and reported via The Atlantic, says Whitmer was vetted and met Biden in person during the selection process.
Vetting and the in-person meeting
Whitmer emerged as an early contender during summer 2020 vetting. She traveled to meet Biden in August for an in-person discussion. Campaign officials counted her among the first candidates considered.
Why Whitmer appealed to Biden
Biden reportedly admired Whitmer’s public response to President Donald Trump in his first term. That reputation helped elevate her profile nationally. The Atlantic’s profile framed her as a possible future presidential contender for 2028.
How the 2020 moment shaped the choice
The killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, and the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests affected the political calculus. Sources told reporters the national unrest made race and representation central to the decision. A former senior Whitmer staffer said, “The moment called for a black running mate.”
One former adviser to both Biden and Harris said that argument carried some weight in discussions. The reports suggest these dynamics tilted the pick toward Kamala Harris.
Whitmer’s response and continued support
Whitmer confirmed she underwent vetting and that she would have accepted a vice-presidential offer. She told local media she would have said yes if Biden had asked. She remained publicly supportive of the ticket throughout the campaign.
Final selection and later developments
Biden ultimately selected Kamala Harris as his 2020 running mate. Harris became vice president after the 2020 election.
Harris later replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee in 2024, following his withdrawal from the race. She then lost the general election to former president Donald Trump.
Context and coverage
The Atlantic’s Sunday profile focused on Whitmer’s rising national profile and possible 2028 ambitions. Filmogaz.com is citing that reporting in its summary of the selection story.
- George Floyd killed by police in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.
- Whitmer met Biden in person during the vetting process in August 2020.
- Whitmer continued to support Biden after not being chosen.
- Harris became vice president in 2021 and was the Democratic 2024 nominee.
New reporting underscores how optics and the political moment shaped the vice-presidential choice. Joe Biden Considered Alternative VP Choice over Kamala Harris in 2020, with Whitmer among the leading alternatives. The episode remains a notable part of recent Democratic decision-making.
