Susan J. Demas, Michigan Advance

Although Kamala Harris’ presidential candidacy is just a week old, the conventional wisdom congealed almost instantly that the vice president will pick a male running mate.

And if some reports from over the weekend are correct, Harris has indeed narrowed the field to three men: U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — who President Joe Biden considered for VP four years ago — has reportedly been on Harris’ list, but says she’s not interested (although, come on, who’s going to turn that offer down?) But Whitmer has been considered a longshot because of the perceived risks of an all-female ticket. ...

Within minutes after President Joe Biden unexpectedly issued a letter announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race following weeks of criticism and speculation, Michigan Democrats hurriedly fired off social media posts praising him, while several Republicans demanded that he resign immediately.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, who had issued what many interpreted as a subtweet about Biden needing to resign, posted a magnanimous statement on social media Sunday afternoon comparing him to the nation’s first president

“President Biden will be remembered as one of the most successful and transformational presidents in U.S. history. His sacrifice of putting country before self makes him a modern-day George Washington,” she wrote. ...

In 2022, Michigan became one of the first states to pass a measure guaranteeing the right to an abortion in the state constitution following the right-wing U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

It was a resounding victory, as Proposal 3 ran stronger than any Democrat on the ballot, earning 57% of the vote, and undoubtedly helped pro-choice Democrats seize control of the Legislature for the first time in almost 40 years.

Michigan’s measure has now become the blueprint for amendments in other states. And Democrats are expecting to see a turnout boost in November in states like Arizona and Florida that have abortion rights ballot questions. ...

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first book is coming out July 9, and she assured the Michigan Advance that there will be no anecdotes about killing her dog, á là South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.

“I’ve never executed an animal,” Whitmer said.

To wit, Whitmer’s dogs, Kevin and Doug, were present before and after a joint interview with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist at the Michigan governor’s summer residence on Mackinac Island late last month. ...

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other elected officials expressed their sorrow over a mass shooting of nine people at a metro Detroit splash park on Saturday evening.

Police said that a man pulled up in a vehicle to the Brooklands Plaza Splash Pad in Rochester Hills at 5 p.m. Saturday, and fired at least 28 shots, injuring nine people ranging in age from 4 to 78. The shooter, a 42-year-old white male, died by suicide after leaving the scene.

“I am heartbroken to learn about the shooting in Rochester Hills. We are monitoring the situation as updates continue to come in, and are in touch with local officials,” Whitmer said on social media on Saturday evening. ...