Gubernatorial Race Next on candidates' list: Pick running mates

By Kathy Barks Hoffman AP Political Writer LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Now that Republican Rick Snyder and Democrat Virg Bernero have won their gubernatorial primary contests, they're moving onto their next priority: picking their running mates. Bernero, the Lansing mayor, may be considering a black southeast Michigan candidate to shore up his base geographically and give the ticket some racial diversity, since the likely Democratic nominees for secretary of state and attorney general are white. Snyder, a moderate businessman from suburban Ann Arbor, could choose someone who would strengthen his ties to GOP conservatives or bring legislative experience to the ticket. Both candidates are staying mum for now about who's being considered or wooed. But names already are making their way around the circuit of political activists in the state as interest and speculation ramp up. They must choose a running mate by the time their state party conventions meet Aug. 28. Although lieutenant governor choices usually don't matter much to voters, a savvy and unexpected selection could bring some welcome pizazz. Republican strategists such as Tom Shields of Marketing Resource Group in Lansing say conservative state senators such as Patricia Birkholz of Saugatuck, Tony Stamas of Midland or Nancy Cassis of Novi are likely to be considered. He added that U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, who came in second to Snyder in the GOP primary and has both business and congressional experience, might make a good fit. Hoekstra's former campaign spokesman, John Truscott, said the Holland Republican has said he might be open to being lieutenant governor, but hasn't been approached. The job isn't "anything he's taking seriously right now," Truscott added. Among the less-traditional names being floated as possible Snyder choices are Meijer Inc. President Mark Murray, a former state treasurer and budget director who was president of Grand Valley State University for five years, and Cynthia Pasky, president and CEO of Strategic Staffing Solutions and a board member at Detroit Renaissance and the Detroit Regional Chamber. Truscott, who knows Murray well from when Truscott was then-Gov. John Engler's spokesman, said it's unlikely Murray would leave Meijer to run for lieutenant governor. But he thinks choosing someone with business experience would send the message that the gubernatorial candidate is serious about adding jobs. A choice from outside government also could help Bernero, who has experience as a state lawmaker and has been the Lansing mayor for nearly five years but hasn't worked extensively in the private sector. "You want to look for somebody that complements the ticket," said Truscott, who went through the process of picking a running mate with Engler in 1990 and again in 1998, when Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld stepped down. "It might be someone who brings a different geographic base, a different skill base." Bernero mentioned a possible running mate with nontraditional credentials: Carol Goss, president and CEO of The Skillman Foundation, Detroit's second-largest foundation. Goss, a former social worker deeply involved with children's issues through her work with her foundation and as a board member at Michigan's Children and New Detroit Inc., said she's not interested in running. Bernero also has plenty of other possibilities in southeast Michigan to weigh, such as Detroit Charter Commission member Freman Hendrix; Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence; Detroit City Council President Gary Brown, a former Detroit deputy police chief; and state Sen. Buzz Thomas of Detroit. Published: Mon, Aug 9, 2010

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