Alma Wheeler Smith, after months of poor showing in the polls, has joined forces with U.S. Rep. David Bonior in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Wheeler Smith, a state senator from Salem Township, decided to step into position as Bonior’s lieutenant governor when it became clear she would not be able to raise the money for her campaign.
“They both believe it’s time for Michigan to have a real change,” Mark Fisk at Bonior’s campaign office said.
Bonior, D-Mt. Clemens, holds 10 to 14 percent in the polls behind Attorney General Jennifer Granholm’s 41 to 46 percent and former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard’s 32 to 37 percent. Wheeler Smith had less than 2 percent.
“When you’re in trouble these are the moves you try to make,” Ed Sarpolus of Lansing-based polling firm EPIC/MRA said. “This won’t hurt Congressman Bonior, but it won’t give him any big bounce.”
State Sen. John Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, is the contender in the Republican primary with the lowest numbers in the polls, but has no plans to leave the race.
“I have great respect for (Wheeler Smith’s) intelligence and she’s very honorable and has had productive service in the Michigan Senate.”
Sage Eastman, press secretary for Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, was not surprised.
“This is just further example as to how tough and expensive this primary battle is going to be on the Democratic side,” she said.
Bonior’s action in choosing a lieutenant governor early is rare, but Bill Ballenger, editor of the Lansing-based newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, said he isn’t sure the action will help Bonior.
“The question is, is it dramatic and positive in a way that can help him, or might it backfire and be viewed as an act of desperation?” he said.
Much depends on how active Wheeler Smith is in campaigning for Bonior in Detroit.
“Is she going to be out there, vocal on his behalf, or is she going to just disappear for four months?” Ballenger said.
Double the campaign presence may be a major benefit.
“This doubles the number of public appearances the Bonior campaign can make,” said Craig Ruff of Public Sector Consultants. “It changes the dynamic of this race.”
Ruff explained that since Bonior has been in Washington for so long, Wheeler Smith may bring added knowledge on state politics.
“She brings knowledge of things like electric deregulation and directional drilling in the Great Lakes,” he said.
Bonior and Wheeler Smith will make a formal announcement at 1:30 p.m. today at the Capitol .
