The following messages are from the following: Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, State Rep. Paul Scott, and the Republican National Committee:
From Lt. Gov. Cherry:
Today I am announcing that the exploration of a gubernatorial candidacy is coming to an end, and I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2010.
A year ago, when this exploratory process began, I set several goals that I thought I needed to attain if a candidacy was to be successful. I believed that at least a thousand Michigan citizens needed to express their support for my candidacy. That number was exceeded significantly. I also believed that in 2009 I would have to obtain at least half of the petition signatures necessary to obtain a position on the ballot. We succeeded in reaching that number as well.
However, I also believed that I had to secure enough money to make my candidacy fully viable. I was not successful in that endeavor to the degree that was needed. With that in mind, I have come to the conclusion that to wage a successful campaign will be difficult at best.
Of course, I find this a disappointing circumstance for two reasons. First, a number of good friends stepped forward to offer their support, and they worked very hard to build a very impressive grassroots network. I hate to disappoint them with this news. Many of them also contributed hard earned money to help support our efforts. That does not, however, diminish the effort that they and the campaign team made to build a successful candidacy.
I am also disappointed because I truly believe that 2010 will be a critical year and election for Michigan. We stand before a simple choice between a race to the bottom or a vision of Michigan as we would like it to be. There are many who for political reasons choose to demean the notion of Michigan as a state that is investing and building for the future. They would rather have us blame our present economic circumstances on the victims of the global forces that disrupted the family and economic lives of thousands of Michigan citizens.
I had hoped that my campaign could argue for a Michigan that could put its great assets to work to create a new, vibrant 21st Century economy-- our great workforce and citizenry, internationally renowned institutions of higher education, and the 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water that surrounds us. Those are strong building blocks for the future. The only thing that stands in the way of creating a strong future out of them is the negative political cult of personality that seeks political advantage at the expense of our civil endeavors.
I am disappointed that I will not be the candidate to carry that message.
Most importantly, though, I wish to thank my family-- my wife Pam, my children, my mother, and my brother and sisters for their help, support, and love. While ending the campaign is a disappointment for us, the effort brought us new friendships, introduced us to amazing people, and opened our eyes to a Michigan that is truly inspiring. For that we are extremely grateful.
John Cherry
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From Gov. Granholm:
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued the following statement on the announcement by Lt. Governor John D. Cherry, Jr., that he will not be a candidate for governor in 2010.
“I share the Lt. Governor's disappointment that he will not be seeking our party's nomination for governor. John Cherry has been an exceptional partner in the effort to diversify Michigan's economy and create jobs, train and educate our citizens, and protect them in the process. He has provided outstanding counsel to me and leadership to our entire administration on a host of issues, not the least of which is his work on expanding higher education opportunities and protecting our Great Lakes.
“I am proud of John Cherry's work in our administration and the integrity he demonstrated in considering a gubernatorial campaign. I look forward to his continued counsel and support throughout the remainder of this year as we work to move Michigan forward.”
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Rep. Paul Scott:
State Rep. Paul Scott today issued the following statement regarding the decision by Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a Genesee County native, to not run for governor in 2010:
"John Cherry is a true statesman who has served Genesee County and our state admirably for more than 20 years. He brought our area's strong work ethic and tough determination to Lansing, and we all value his tremendous service.
But let's be clear about what has happened. This announcement is in no way an indictment on John Cherry; it's an indictment on the miserable leadership and failed policies of Gov. Jennifer Granholm for the last seven years.
Cherry is collateral damage from an administration that has failed Michigan at nearly every level.
Thousands of Michigan residents have lost jobs during the current administration, and now John Cherry has become the most publicized casualty of the Granholm era."
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From RNC:
“The Granholm administration’s tax and spend policies haven’t produced anything for the people of Michigan except a struggling economy and 14.7 percent unemployment. Granholm’s number two, Lt. Governor John Cherry, has finally realized he can’t bring the change Michigan wants and deserves from their next leader. Last year voters in Virginia, New Jersey and even Michigan’s 19th state senate district rejected the Democrats’ big government policies and chose a new direction. Michigan voters are watching; Democrats across the state, including Congressmen Mark Schauer and Gary Peters, should start listening and keep their tax and spend ways out of Michigan.” – RNC Spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski
