Lawrence Says She's "Honored To Stand" With Bernero
The Democratic ticket in Michigan's 2010 governor's race is set.
Saturday morning at Cobo Center, gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero announced Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence is his nominee for Lieutenant Governor. WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reported Friday morning that Lawrence was the front-runner.
"Mayor Lawrence shares my passion for fighting for working people and small business owners on Main Street," said Bernero. "Her success creating jobs and balancing budgets has earned praise from across the state and country."
"I've seen Virg in action fighting for Michigan and I'm honored to stand with him now," said Lawrence in a statement. "We will stand up to the special interests that have held back our businesses and hard-working families for too long. Mayor Bernero and I have brought economic development to our cities and we will do the same for Michigan."
Lawrence is in her third term as the first woman and African American mayor of Southfield.
Bernero and Lawrence worked together as part of the national Mayors Automotive Coalition to fight for government loans for the Big 3 automakers.
Following the Democratic convention, Bernero and Lawrence will begin a "Fighting for Main Street Tour."
Less than an hour after the announcement, the state Republican party issued a statement saying "Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero chose to continue the Granholm status quo by picking struggling Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence as his candidate for Lieutenant Governor."
"Virg Bernero can't manage Lansing, and Brenda Lawrence can't handle Southfield," said Michigan Republican Party Director of Communications Jennifer Hoff in the statement. "Of course they team up to try to run the entire state. Michigan has serious budget shortcomings right now and tough decisions must be made to see us through. The last people we need in office right now are politicians Virg Bernero and Brenda Lawrence."
The Republican candidate for governor is Rick Snyder. He selected Brian Calley as his running mate earlier in the week.
The election is November 2nd.
© MMX WWJ Radio, All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to his report.
