MichiganRadio

Statewide Candidates Vie For Teachers' Votes DETROIT, MI (Michigan Radio) - Candidates hoping to be Michigan's next Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State courted teacher's votes in Detroit Friday.

The Michigan Education Association's "Get to Know the Candidates" forum drew only a handful of the Gubenatorial candidates.

Among the Republican frontrunners, only West Michigan Congressman Peter Hoekstra attended the event, while Attorney General Mike Cox and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard both skipped it.

On the Democratic side, State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero made appearances. Detroit businesswoman Denise Ilitch was scheduled to attend, but did not make an appearance.

Bernero hasn't formally announced he's running, but is expected to do so during a series of statewide appearances on Monday. He says his campaign will be all about jobs.

"The reason I'm running is to put Michigan back to work," Bernero says. "If I run, the reason to run is to put Michigan back to work. To put people back to work. Not only to give them hope, but to give them jobs."

Bernero denied rumors that the Obama Administration urged him to run.

He says he's met with White House officials on manufacturing issues, but never engaged in "formal discussions" about running for Governor.

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