Jockeying for position in the Michigan governor's race has been fascinating. Several weeks ago, the presumed favorite for the Democratic nomination, John Cherry, pulled out. Ever since, there has been a list of announcements and pseudo-announcements.
Among the latest info.:
Congressman Bart Stupak (D, MI-01) has announced that he will NOT run for governor. Link:
WaPost: Stupak Out for MI Gov.
Meanwhile, former Congressman Joe Schwarz (R, MI-07) told Michigan Public Radio that he is interested in mounting an independent race for governor. Link:
MI Radio: Schwarz Independent Bid for Gov.
This race is clearly fluid. House Speaker Andy Dillon is a serious candidate for the Democratic nomination. So is Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero.
The difficulty is that both men have major problems. Andy Dillon is a pro-life former Republican who slashed funding for education, social services and libraries during the recent budget negotiations.
Bernero is the brash, young mayor of Lansing known for his bombastic, populist style. But he is a bit too fresh and the MI Democratic leadership seems unlikely to back him.
Former Blanchard budget man, Bob Bowman, has expressed interest. Of course, he hasn't been a full-time resident of the state for twenty years.
Stupak, Stabenow and even Levin have/had been floated as possible candidates. However, they won't risk secure positions in a tough election environment.
Of all the publicly acknowledged candidates, Virg Bernero would be the best in my mind. He has charisma and a working-class/populist appeal that no other candidate possesses.
The Schwarz candidacy is interesting in that it has potential to split the Democratic Party in two. If Dillon wins the Dem nomination, Schwarz would provide an alternative for the Michigan Education Association and other labor groups who abhor Dillon's policies. The MEA backed Schwarz during his initial run for Congress. And even though he was/is a Republican, he has spoken regularly at MEA events. The relationship is remarkably fond for a Republican and traditionally-Democratic union.
Would a significant segment of labor in Michigan back an independent Schwarz against a Democratic Dillon?
Whatever the case, it is at least theoretically possible that Michigan will have three Republicans, or at least three former Republicans running in the general election for governor. Dillon is a former Republican. Schwarz is a former Republican. And, of course, the Republican nominee will be a Republican.
The fact that this might happen in an essentially Democratic state like Michigan is a sign of the political headwinds faced by Democrats this Fall.