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Whitmer Not Running For Governor In 2014

We can remove state Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer from the list of potential challengers to Republican Governor Rick Snyder next year.

Here's more from The Michigan Public Radio Network's Rick Pluta.

Senator Whitmer was widely seen as a likely prospect to take on Governor Snyder. She’s been one of his most frequent and vocal critics. But in an e-mail blast, and a video posted on her Facebook page, Whitmer said a hard-fought campaign would take too much time and attention away from her two young daughters.

  “The commitment to mount a successful gubernatorial campaign is going to require the time and energy like none we’ve ever seen before,”  she says.

Whitmer says she remains committed to helping Democrats next year, including the party’s gubernatorial nominee. There is still plenty of time to choose one. The Democratic and Republican primaries are not until August of next year. Governor Snyder has said he intends to seek another term.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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