State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, considered the Democratic front-runner for the Michigan attorney general nomination, exited the race Wednesday.
“As I have traveled our state, it has become clear to me that this rigorous campaign schedule and pursuit cannot continue if I am to be the best mother I can to my 6- and 7-year-old daughters,” Whitmer said. “The added strain and rigor of that type of campaign has taken a toll on my kids.”
Whitmer, an MSU alumna and East Lansing native, is a single mother, and said her daughters are thrilled to have more time with her.
However, she said she will seek re-election for her Senate seat.
“I hope to earn another four years in the Senate,” she said. “It is important we continue to have a strong voice for higher education, and public safety and early education (in Ingham County).”
While two Democratic candidates exited the 2010 gubernatorial race this month citing fundraising concerns, Whitmer said her campaign had raised $200,000 since she declared candidacy in October.
Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, said campaigns for offices such as attorney general typically don’t begin this early and these changes aren’t very significant.
“Historically, most of the people that have been nominated for these offices, in many cases, they were not even known until the convention itself in late August or early September,” Ballenger said.
Attorney general candidates are nominated at state party conventions, not by voters. Because candidates are nominated by party delegates, fundraising is a critical factor in an attorney general campaign, he said.
Whitmer’s exit leaves two Democrats pursuing the nomination — Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton and Farmington Hills attorney Richard Bernstein.
Leyton has served as Genesee County prosecutor for five years. He said he is receiving a lot of support from party activists and union representatives.
“They have all been encouraging me to run for attorney general,” Leyton said. “We are also raising money for the battle ahead. … I am ready to hit the ground running.”
Republicans pursuing the nomination are Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester, former Appeals Court Judge Bill Schuette and state Sen. Bruce Patterson of Canton Township.
Current Republican Attorney General Mike Cox is term-limited and a 2010 gubernatorial candidate.
Schuette’s spokesman Rusty Hills said Schuette has been campaigning since last year.
“Bill is running to reprioritize the state of Michigan and focus on the basics, which begin with public safety,” he said. “We lost that in the last few years in Michigan.”
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
