Plans are already being made for the 2002 election.
Michigan Secretary of State Candice Miller said Monday that she is considering a run for Congress.
Miller, along with Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, had been considered to be one of the GOP’s top candidates for office of Michigan’s governor.
“I’ve talked to the secretary (of state) as late as Friday and she’s still considering and keeping her options open,” Miller spokeswoman Elizabeth Boyd said.
Miller captured the secretary of state post in 1994 after working as a local official in Macomb County. Miller cannot run for re-election as secretary of state because of term limits. She previously ran for Congress in 1986 but overwhelmingly lost to Democratic Rep. David Bonior of Mount Clemens in the 10th District.
Since both Miller and Posthumus are Republicans, a heated GOP primary could occur if both decide to run for governor in 2002. Because of term limits, Gov. John Engler is prevented from running for the position again.
Posthumus also has not declared his candidacy, opting to wait until later to decide.
While there is some concern that a Miller candidacy for governor, rather than Congress, would affect a decision by the lieutenant governor to run, Posthumus press secretary Matt Resch doesn’t think it is among primary concerns.
“He has known that she is considering a number of options for a while; this is just one of them,” Resch said.
While members of the Republican Party are debating the best candidate for the position, Michigan Democrats already are considering their options too.
Former Michigan Gov. James Blanchard already stated he would like to run again. Blanchard served as governor from 1983 to 1991, before losing narrowly to Engler.
Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Dennis Denno believes whomever the GOP candidate is, the Democratic candidate will prove to be more than enough competition.
“The Democratic candidate for governor will be stronger, better and on the side of Michigan’s working families,” Denno said. “I don’t think what Candice Miller does will affect the Democrats.”
With Michigan is losing a District Congressional seat, Miller’s decision also could be affected by a redistricting process that could change some of the state’s political boundaries.
Because of the Republican majority contained in the Michigan Senate and House, the Republican Party is able to control the changing of the political districts.
The lines have yet to be drawn, and no definite plans are expected until fall. Depending on the drawn lines, Miller could benefit from a run for a higher office rather than a battle for Congress in a strong Democratic district.
If Miller does attempt a run for governor, she could find herself running against fellow Republican Posthumus in an incredibly tight battle for the GOP nomination.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
