The Eye

Land told reporters at a morning news conference in Grand Rapids that the time and expense that the governor's race would entail prompted her to opt out. She's getting behind Bouchard, she said, because he has legislative experience and a proven record of getting things done.

In addition to boosting Bouchard, Land's decision not to run helps another GOP candidate, U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Michigan's 2nd District. Hoekstra and Land both hail from western Michigan and would have split the primary base in that heavily Republican region.

Attorney General Mike Cox, is the other major Republican in the race and will compete with Bouchard on the turf they share in Detroit's suburbs. State Sen. Tom George and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder are exploring bids, and Domino's Pizza CEO David Brandon is also rumored to be interested.

On the Democratic side, the early favorite is Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who has been laying the groundwork for a campaign to succeed Granholm for some time. Cherry, who has served as second to Granholm throughout her two terms, hasn't officially declared his candidacy, but that hasn't stopped him from rolling out endorsements, including one Wednesday from freshman U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer.

CQ Politics rates the 2010 general election contest as Tossup.

To follow the 2009 and 2010 governors' races, check out CQ Politics' election map.