Former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenThe Memo: Warning signs flash for Trump on debates Senate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden National postal mail handlers union endorses Biden MORE confirmed this week that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Gretchen WhitmerFeehery: A surprising Republican wave election could be looming 400K sign on to ballot drive to repeal Michigan governor's emergency powers States need prepared, predictable policies before the next pandemic MORE (D) is one of the women he's considering as a potential running mate in his White House bid.

Biden, who has already vowed to tap a woman as his vice presidential pick, said Tuesday night he’s been considering Whitmer for the role for months, but that he is eyeing as many as 10 potential candidates.

“She made the list in my mind two months ago. There’s probably going to be a list, I’m in the process of — Brian, we’ll have it by mid-April, putting together an organization that will run the background checks … by the second or third week in April,” Biden told MSNBC host Brian Williams.

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“I’ve thought about some of the women who I believe are ready to be president and I think I can work with and would be willing to work with me. It’s going to be somewhere between six and 10 of them," Biden continued.

Whitmer, a rising Democratic star who flipped Michigan’s governorship in 2018, has long been seen as a possible running mate for Biden. Whitmer runs a crucial swing state that Democrats will almost certainly have to win back in November to defeat President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE, and she handed Biden a high-profile endorsement before the Wolverine State’s primary last month, which the former vice president ultimately won by double digits.

Whitmer has also garnered national headlines and Democratic plaudits for her criticism of Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, comments that drew swift rebukes from the White House.

“Facing a dangerous abdication of leadership from Donald Trump during this pandemic, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been a tenacious fighter for Michigan families,” Biden said in a statement in Whitmer’s defense that fueled further speculation over her prospects for a spot on a national ticket. “Donald Trump could learn a thing or two from Governor Whitmer — speed matters, details matter, and people matter.”

Besides Whitmer, Sens. Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenNo new taxes for the ultra rich — fix bad tax policy instead Democrats back away from quick reversal of Trump tax cuts It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates MORE (D-Mass.), Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisNational postal mail handlers union endorses Biden The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally Jim Carrey to play Biden on 'Saturday Night Live' MORE (D-Calif.) and Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharEPA delivers win for ethanol industry angered by waivers to refiners It's time for newspapers to stop endorsing presidential candidates Biden marks anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, knocks Trump and McConnell MORE (D-Minn.), Rep. Val Demings Valdez (Val) Venita DemingsFlorida Democrat introduces bill to recognize Puerto Rico statehood referendum Sunday shows - Trump team defends coronavirus response Demings slams GOP coronavirus relief bill: Americans 'deserve more than the crumbs from the table' MORE (D-Fla.) and former minority leader of the Georgia state House Stacey Abrams, among others, have been floated as possible running mates for Biden.