http://freep.com/article/20090625/NE...n+for+governor

Land backs Bouchard, won't run for governor
Decision a surprise to supporters
BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • JUNE 25, 2009

Republican Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land surprised supporters today with the decision that she will not run for governor in 2010 and instead will endorse Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard for the state’s top job.

Most people had assumed she would jump in because she chartered a plane to deliver her decision in Grand Rapids and Troy this morning.

But Land, who can’t run for re-election because of term limits, said after months of careful deliberation, she decided against the costly, time consuming and grueling run.

Other GOP candidates who decided to drop out of the race – Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers – did so in a press release without much fanfare. But Land said she wanted to make the announcement with Bouchard, who traveled to Grand Rapids for her 9 a.m. news conference and was expected to be at her side in Troy at 11 a.m.

“The challenges ahead are great,” she said. “I believe Michigan needs a leader like Mike Bouchard.”

The decision leaves the Republican race without a female candidate and so far includes: Attorney General Mike Cox, Bouchard, U.S. Rep.Pete Hoekstra and state Sen. Tom George. On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. John Cherry is emerging as the most prominent candidate, but others looking at the race include state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, former state Rep. John Freeman, former MSU football coach George Perles and former Flint Mayor Don Williamson.