Gretchen Whitmer (D)
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-A Michigan state senator considered the frontrunner in the state attorney general race has withdrawn from the contest.
State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, announced Wednesday that she will not run to succeed Republican Mike Cox as the Wolverine State's chief legal officer.
"As I have traveled our state, it has become clear to me that this rigorous campaign schedule and pursuit cannot continue if I am to be the best mother I can to my 6- and 7-year-old daughters," Whitmer, a single mother, said in a statement. "It is with this in mind, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for the Office of Attorney General."
Whitmer, 38, said her campaign has raised $200,000 in three months, in addition to winning some key endorsements.
Other Democrats running for Michigan attorney general include Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton and Farmington Hills attorney Richard Bernstein.
On the Republican side is: Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester, former Appeals Court Judge Bill Schuette and state Sen. Bruce Patterson of Canton Township.
Cox, who is barred by term limits from running for reelection, is running for governor, vying to succeed Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
From Legal Newsline: Reach staff reporter Chris Rizo at chrisrizo@legalnewsline.com.