2014 Gubernatorial Election Not For Whitmer

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) announced Wednesday that she will not challenge Governor Rick Snyder in 2014, opening the door to other interested candidates. Sen. Whitmer’s statement explained that she understands the magnitude of the upcoming election and the utmost effort required for victory. Thus, given her desire to do what is best for her daughters, ages 9 and 10, she feels she is not the proper fit to take on such a task. She did not, however, rule out the notion of running for another office and only time will tell what position she may seek.

With Senator Whitmer, certainly the odds-on favorite for the Democratic Party’s nomination, out of the running, three possible candidates have surfaced: former United States Representative Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek), State Board of Education President John Austin (Ann Arbor) and United States Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township).

At this point, more fingers seem to be pointing at former U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, although some believe his major hurdle may be in his political base which does not include the metropolitan Detroit area. Mr. Austin, on the other hand, is not as experienced in major electoral politics and is not as well-known, which may give him a disadvantage. Finally, U.S. Congressman Gary Peters could take a shot at Mr. Snyder in 2014; however, it may be unlikely given he is positioned to hold his U.S. House of Representatives seat well into the future.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 1, 2013 11:01 AM
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