Mike Cox
Michigan Attorney General
Mike Cox officially launched a long-expected 2010 bid for governor Wednesday. The suburban Detroit Republican, who has been exploring the race since November, told supporters that he was "ready to lead the fight for Michigan's future."
"As a Marine, prosecutor, and Attorney General, I have spent my life fighting for the people of Michigan," Cox said in a release. "I will be a governor who is willing to make the tough decisions to help grow Michigan's economy."
The economy clearly will be the top issue in next year's race to succeed term-limited Democrat Jennifer M. Granholm, who was elected in 2002 and 2006. Staggered especially by the sharp downturn in its crucial automobile industry, Michigan led all states with a 12.7 percent unemployment rate in April.
Cox joins a crowded field of Republican hopefuls looking to reclaim the seat after eight years of Democratic control under Granholm, who was preceded in the seat by Republican John Engler.
Republican Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan's 2nd District announced in March he is running for the seat. Other likely Republican candidates include Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, state Sen. Tom George and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder.
Domino's Pizza CEO David Brandon and Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard are also rumored to be interested.
Cox came in third among potential Republican candidates in a March poll by Inside Michigan Politics, trailing Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Hoekstra.
But Patterson has since announced that he will not run for governor. This could boost the Detroit-born Cox, who draws his base of support from the same suburbs.
On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. John Cherry is laying the groundwork for a campaign to succeed Granholm. Cherry has served in the number-two spot during the entirety of Granholm's tenure as governor.
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