Bernstein launches campaign for Michigan attorney general

By Tim Martin Associated Press Writer LANSING (AP) -- Southeast Michigan lawyer Richard Bernstein on Monday formally kicked off his campaign to become the state's next attorney general, joining Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton in seeking the Democratic nomination. Bernstein, who is blind, says he has specialized in cases for clients who have the odds stacked against them. Bernstein said he would continue that effort if he becomes Michigan's next attorney general. "I'm always the person that everyone tends to count out," Bernstein said at his campaign kickoff in Lansing. "But the people who are always counted out are the ones who will work that much harder, the ones that will fight with that much more intensity, the ones who will get the job done -- because they simply have no other choice." Bernstein's campaign says he was the first blind person to win a statewide election in Michigan when he was elected to the Wayne State University Board of Governors in 2002. He is currently the board's chairman. Bernstein, 36, is an attorney with the Sam Bernstein Law Firm in Farmington Hills. Richard Bernstein started and leads a public service division of the law firm, which is noted for handling personal injury cases. Bernstein said his priorities if elected would include cracking down on Internet child pornography, health insurance companies that deny coverage, abuse in nursing homes and utilities that overcharge. Bernstein has a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a law degree from Northwestern University. Democrats are expected to endorse an attorney general candidate at an April 17 convention. Candidates are expected to be formally nominated at a convention in August. "Basically, it's a six-week sprint to the endorsement convention," Leyton said Monday. Leyton said some of his priorities, in addition to fighting crime, would be protecting the environment, consumer protection and fighting Medicaid fraud. Former Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop are seeking the Republican nomination to run for attorney general. Michigan's current attorney general, Republican Mike Cox, can't run again because of the state's term limits law. Cox is running for governor. Published: Wed, Mar 3, 2010

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