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Posthumus
Picks Bennett
MIRS, August 19, 2002
Republican gubernatorial
nominee Dick POSTHUMUS has gone to the Senate to find a
running mate, but didn't pick the senator many were expecting.
Sen. Loren BENNETT (R-Canton), who had been running for
Secretary of State, will get the nod at a Tuesday morning news
conference in the Detroit area.
A Westland native, Bennett
brings to the ticket a strong Southeast Michigan base and the
ability to win over Democratic voters. A source close to
Bennett confirmed the two-termed senator's decision to join
the ticket and abandon his Secretary of State bid. The move
means former Kent County Clerk Terri LAND of Byron
Center is in the driver's seat to gain the nomination to
replace Candice S. MILLER.
The Posthumus campaign is planning a 9
a.m. Tuesday conference call to inform lobbyists and other
influential Republicans of the decision.
Bennett is a surprise choice and was not
on any of the media's short lists. Sen. Joanne EMMONS
(R-Big Rapids), Sharon WISE from the State Board of
Education, and Oakland County officials Sheriff Michael
BOUCHARD and Prosecutor David GORCYCA had been
mentioned as potential running mates.
Bennett is the assistant
majority leader in the Senate, serves on the Senate
Appropriations Committee and chairs the Senate Education
Committee. He is a former Canton Township clerk and attended
Schoolcraft College.
The senator is respected on
both sides of the aisle and has worked on a number of school
issues including an accountability package that has been
pending for over a year.
A source close to the Senator
said “nobody will out campaign him and nobody will do this job
better with more honesty” than him.
On another front, former GOP candidate
for Attorney General, Scott ROMNEY has again removed
himself from consideration for that post. Romney confirms that
some party officials have contacted him to run as an
alternative to the odds-on favorite to get the nomination,
Wayne County assistant prosecutor Mike COX. Romney
said, “I'm not running for anything.”
Asked what he would do if
Posthumus called and asked him to run, Romney, was just as
adamant saying "He's not going to call and I am not
interested." The son of former Gov. George ROMNEY said
he is happy doing what he is doing and the timing for his
family is not right. His wife reportedly was strongly against
another run.
Romney was Gov. John ENGLER's
pick for A.G. four years ago, but the GOP convention picked
John SMIETANKA instead. Smietanka went on to lose to
eventual winner, Jennifer GRANHOLM.
(Contributed by Senior Capitol Correspondent, Tim
SKUBICK)
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