Michigan Gov. Whitmer To Speak At Dem Convention Monday

MICHIGAN — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, considered a top candidate to be the running mate of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, is to speak Monday at the Democratic National Convention, according to a schedule of speakers released Tuesday on "The Morning Joe."

The schedule shows that Biden's running mate, whom is he expected to name this week, will speak Wednesday. California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, another strong candidate to become Biden's running mate, will also speak Aug. 20, according to the schedule.

Speculation surrounds the person Biden will choose as his running mate, with Whitmer being considered along with other high-profile names such as Harris, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, California Rep. Karen Bass and former Obama national security adviser Susan Rice.

Whitmer traveled to Delaware earlier this month to meet with Biden, who has spent months weighing who would serve alongside him as vice president if he wins in November. He had pledged to select a woman and has conducted an expansive search for a running mate.

If Whitmer were selected and Biden were to win, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II would replace Whitmer as Michigan's governor, becoming the country's only Black governor.

The Associated Press previously reported that Biden was facing calls to select a Black woman as his running mate in order to acknowledge their crucial role in Democratic politics and in response to the nation's reckoning with systemic racism.

Biden and Whitmer formed a bond after he campaigned for her in the 2018 gubernatorial election, according to The Associated Press. She is a co-chair on his campaign.

Information and reporting from The Associated Press was used in this report.