Another Top Democrat Gubernatorial Recruit Passes On Running In Michigan

In Michigan, Democrats are panicking after another top gubernatorial recruit has announced they won’t run in 2018. Mark Bernstein, a member of the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents and highly-touted potential gubernatorial candidate announced yesterday that he would not run despite the pleas from desperate Democrats in the state. This comes shortly after targeted gubernatorial recruit Rep. Dan Kildee announced that he would also take a pass on the race, leaving Michigan Democrats stuck with Gretchen Whitmer- a candidate that has caused Democrats to seriously question her ability to win – as their likely nominee.

MLive reports:

“University of Michigan Regent and prominent Michigan attorney Mark Bernstein will not run for governor…

Bernstein was a big Democratic name floating around for a gubernatorial run, but he announced Tuesday he would not enter the race.

‘After much exploration and discussion with my family, I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2018,’ he said in a tweet.”

FLASHBACK from The Detroit News on May 10:

“Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial primary lost one strong contender this week, but may be picking up another.

Party officials have long courted prominent attorney Mark Bernstein of the ‘Call Sam’ law firm that bears his family’s name.

With the withdrawal of Congressman Dan Kildee, D-Flint, from the gubernatorial race, those calls on Bernstein have picked up. And apparently they are having an impact.

Bernstein, of Ann Arbor, is said to be bowing to concerns among some in the Democratic Party that their current front-runner, former State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, doesn’t have what it takes to win a general election. He had considered a run earlier in the year, but decided to give Whitmer and Kildee a chance to prove they could win. Those who’ve talked to him say he’s not sold on Whitmer’s chances.”