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Democrat Whitmer Won't Challenge Snyder In 2014

LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer says she is not running for governor.

Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick said many assumed Whitmer would challenge Gov. Rick Snyder, but they got it wrong.

"She privately concluded that staying home and being around for her two young girls was more important than pursuing Rick Snyder all over the state to defeat him in 2014, said Skubick.

Skubick said this means the field now, in the Democratic Primary, remains wide open.

Whitmer said she plans to continue her work as Senate Democratic Leader, helping whittle down the list of potential gubernatorial candidates.

Snyder, a Republican, has said he's leaning toward running for re-election.

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