MichiganRadio

Bernero In The Race LANSING, MI (MPRN) -

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has announced his candidacy for governor. He is the first candidate to join the race for the Democratic nomination since Lieutenant Governor John Cherry dropped out of the race last month.

Bernero used his announcement to set himself apart from other 'Lansing insiders,' though he served in the state Legislature for five years before becoming mayor of Lansing in 2005. Bernero's biggest campaign hurdle may his name recognition with people outside of Lansing. But he says he's not too worried about that.

"Well I know name recognition was one of John Engler's big problems when he first started running, and Jennifer Granholm of course she was unknown when she first ran for her first statewide office as attorney general," says Bernero, "That's what campaigns are all about and I'm very excited about launching this campaign."

Bernero took jabs at 'blow-dried' politicians and Democrats in the state House of Representatives - where his two key competitors are currently serving. State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith is the only other Democratic declared candidate, and House Speaker Andy Dillon is expected to announce in the coming weeks whether he will expand his exploratory committee into an official run for governor. © Copyright 2012, MPRN