MichiganRadio

Denise Ilitch Bows Out Of Governor's Race LANSING, MI (MPRN) -

Denise Illitch of the Little Ceasar's Pizza family has taken herself out of the race for governor.

Illitch has been exploring joining the campaign for the Democratic nomination for the past month, since Lieutenant Governor John Cherry dropped out.

Ilitch's status as a Lansing outsider and access to money to fund a campaign made her attractive to many Democrats.

"What brought me to this process was my passion for Michigan and for the people of Michigan," says Ilitch, "I am so incredibly humbled by the votes of confidence that I have received from citizens as I reviewed this bid for governor."

But Illitch says she did not think there was enough time between now and the elections to put together the sort of campaign she wanted to run.

Illitch says she would consider running for another statewide office if there was interest at the Democratic Party state convention this coming summer. She was elected to the University of Michigan Board of Regents in 2008. © Copyright 2012, MPRN