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It's Official: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Is Running For A 2nd Term

LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder made it official, filing for reelection Thursday in Lansing.

Snyder was accompanied by his wife, Sue, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, supporters and volunteers when he turned in his petition signatures to the Michigan Department of State Bureau of Election.

Snyder says he's "absolutely fired up" to continue being governor and is proud of his record.

He emphasizes that Michigan's unemployment rate is the lowest in six years and 250,000 private-sector jobs have been created under his watch.

WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick says the  Republican governor has more than enough signatures — and a big war chest.

"State law says that anybody running for governor has to file petition signatures, and the governor said he met that requirement today by filing signatures from all 83 counties," said Skubick."He's obviously got the names; he's obviously going to have the money, and he also believes he has a returning economy on his side."

"The latest unemployment numbers are trending in this favor. This is a problem for Mark Schauer — the Democratic challenger. What does he say? It's not working? The governor will say it is working."

Asked about Democratic opponent Mark Schauer, Snyder calls him a "career politician." Schauer's criticizing Snyder on education funding, individual tax hikes and other issues.

Gubernatorial candidates from political parties must file at least 15,000 valid signatures by Monday to qualify for the ballot.

Snyder had said in February he would seek a second term.

TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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