On the Virge

Mayor Bernero seems to be just the kind of person that is able to share how big 3 employees are building the future of our nation, and not just our state.

2010 Governor's race heats up in Feb. 2009

Despite it only being February of 2009, the eyes of politicos are all cast on fall of 2010 when Michigan elects a new Governor to replace term-limited Jennifer Granholm. A mushrooming field of entrants have declared or are testing the waters, almost a year and a half before the August 3, 2010 primary. With the state political conventions taking place this weekend, we are sure to see the race heat up even more.

The Free Press has a short article discussing the race and the impact of the weekend conventions on shaping the race:

"I don't think these party conventions are a huge deal," said Lansing political consultant Robert Kolt. "But when you're at this point, these are the people you need to help launch a campaign."

So, who's running and who's thinking about running and who's trying to get their name out there to get some free publicity? Wikipedia offers this field of candidates and prospects testing the waters for possible bids:

Democratic Party

• Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry
• State House Speaker Andy Dillon
• Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano
• Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee
• Congressman Bart Stupak
• former Speaker of the House Curtis Hertel
• former Flint Mayor Don Williamson* (who just resigned under threat of recall)

*So far, only Williamson has formally declared his candidacy.
Also said to be considering a run are former Michigan State University football head coach George Perles (who must be like 1,000 years old) and Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel (who? a county sheriff for Governor? what's next, dog catcher?). Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer ruled out a gubernatorial run on November 20, 2008 despite decent polling last summer showing him outperforming the Lt. Governor in hypothetical match ups with DeVos and Land.

Without Archer, the Democrats seem to lack a 'superstar' with name recognition across the state. So far, the field is uninspiring to Democrats I talk to, with many alarmed that the milquetoast Cherry could even be considered a "front runner." It almost makes you wonder if outside those term-limited politicians who have nothing to lose, the rest of the Democratic Party has decided it's just not their year and are basically ceding it to the GOP.

Republican Party

Early reports had 2006 gubernatorial loser Dick DeVos trying to elbow any competition out of the race. But when the defeated DeVos decided not to get his billionaire butt bounced by the "overpaid" and unwashed masses a 2nd time, the race opened up for the GOP. Having effectively stonewalled the Governor's agenda for 8 years and blamed her for the economic mess and endless budget battles, the GOP looks ripe to pick off the seat.

With lust in his heart, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox was the first candidate to join the whole affair when he let his eyes wander to the Governor's mansion, forming an exploratory campaign last fall. Also officially in the mix is Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. Other candidates might include:

• State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop
• Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard
• Domino's Pizza CEO David Brandon
• Congressman Peter Hoekstra (said to be speaking at the Barry Co. Lincoln Day dinner)
• State Senator Wayne Kuipers
• Congresswoman Candice Miller
• Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson
• State Senator Tom George

Also among those being discussed: Congressman Mike Rogers announced that he would not be running. National Review is trying to find a job for former Massachusetts governor and 2008 Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and is floating his name, despite Romney not even living in the state. Washed up rocker Ted Nugent has said that he has been looking into a possible run in 2010- just as he threatens to do every four years before chickening out every time. Personally, I think "The Nuge" is just trying to (Great White) 'Buffalo' his gullible fans into thinking he's politically relevant and earning some free publicity for his next reality show. The Republican race seems stacked with contenders and it should be an epic battle, with lots of early drop outs and likely a very hard fought contest leaving lots of scars and bruises, something the Democrats must be counting on if they have any chance to retain the Governor's mansion.

The coming days and weeks will likely shirt the landscape even more as we find out who's in and who's out. Chances are that the party faithful will find some things to like and a lot not to like about the current crop of candidates.