A politician seen as a potential “replacement” for aging President Joe Biden is taking another, somewhat speedy, step onto the national stage by rushing out a book, is told.
Sources exclusively tell that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sold a book — usually seen as a prerequisite for anyone setting out to run for the highest office in the land — that is expected to be on shelves as soon as June.
A publishing insider told us that Whitmer, “just signed a big seven-figure book deal with Simon & Schuster, at auction, for a book to be rushed out as soon as possible.”
Whitmer’s deal comes as her name is increasingly being mentioned as a top-tier contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028 — or earlier, if President Biden’s health rapidly declines — a well-connected Democratic source told us.
“If Joe Biden croaked tomorrow, there are… people who would absolutely pave the runway for Gretchen to land in the Oval [Office] in either a presidential or VP role,” the source said.
“The [Democratic] Party apparatus really sees her as the future in a way that is less glossy and annoying compared to [California Gov.] Gavin [Newsom],” the insider added.
Indeed, before launching his own quixotic White House run this past October, Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) said he would like to see Whitmer — or another “moderate governor, hopefully from the heartland” — challenge Biden, 81.
But the Michigan governor, 52, is serving as a co-chair of the Biden 2024 campaign, and has said she supports him as president.
Reps for the publisher, and Whitmer, did not immediately comment.
Last month, Whitmer told Fox 2 Detroit during a sit-down interview that she could potentially pen a book. “At some point that might be something I want to do,” she said.
She then added coyly, “At some point… at some point, I feel like maybe there’s a short book to write, maybe…
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