By Scott Pohl, WKAR
EAST LANSING, MI –
Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney is predicting that pro-choice women and union members will boost Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero to the democratic nomination for Governor.
The labor organization is supporting Bernero over his rival for the nomination, House Speaker Andy Dillon.
On the public television program "Off the Record", Gaffney says raising money for Bernero has been challenging because of the large number of union members currently laid off from their jobs.
"The unions have come together," Gaffney says. "The ones who have money to contribute are working through that process. The unions who are very good on the ground, delivering fliers in the workplace, delivering letters, going and knocking on the door, they're gearing up."
Gaffney says he thinks Dillon will have up to $4 million to spend on his campaign. He adds that Bernero would need to spend $2 million to beat Dillon, and he's more than halfway to that figure. The primary is August 3rd.
Republicans will choose from Pete Hoekstra, Mike Bouchard, Rick Snyder, Tom George, and Mike Cox for the gubernatorial nomination.