MichiganRadio

Another Democrat Says 'No' To Running For Governor ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) -

The list of potential Democrats running for governor is shrinking. A major contender has said he's not going to run.

Congressman Bart Stupak says he won't seek the Democratic nomination for Michigan governor this year. The U.P. Democrat made the announcement in a written statement released this morning, saying he believes he "can best serve the people of Michigan in the U.S. Congress."

Stupak's departure follows the abrupt end of the campaign of one-time presumptive Democratic front-runner Lt. Gov. John Cherry, whose decision to withdraw his name earlier this month, opened up the race.

Several Democrats, including State House Speaker Andy Dillon, businesswoman Denise Ilitch, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and former state treasurer Robert Bowman, are all still weighing possible campaigns for governor. State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith is the only Democrat formally in the race.

A host of Republican contenders are already jostling for the GOP nomination.


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(The Associated Press contributed to this report) © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio