Lansing Mayor in Michigan Governor’s Race

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/lansing-mayor-enters-michigan-governors-race/?src=twt&twt=thecaucus

In Michigan, the mayor of Lansing, Virgil Bernero announced today that he will seek the Democratic nomination for governor.

Mr. Bernero, a 45-year-old Pontiac native, made the announcement in front of an auto parts supplier in Detroit, promising to challenge excessive credit card interest rates, foreclosures, and tuition increases.

“We’re done playing games, we’re fighting back,” Mr. Bernero said, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Mr. Bernero, a former state representative and state senator who was recently re-elected for a second mayoral term in the state capital, stepped into the race just a month after the Democratic favorite, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, said he would not run. Mr. Cherry, once described as the heir-apparent to the seat held by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, cited fund-raising difficulties. Ms. Granholm cannot run again because of term limits.