Bill Schuette Expected To Announce Run For Michigan Governor

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is expected to make official what has long seemed inevitable — he is running for governor.

The Republican is hosting his annual barbeque for supporters in his hometown of Midland on Tuesday and has invited media to attend. The likely announcement comes before next week's Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference — when donors, activists and others gather every two years.

Once Schuette officially enters the Republican primary, he will be considered the front-runner. Dr. Jim Hines and state Sen. Patrick Colbeck are the main Republicans running so far, though Lt. Gov. Brian Calley is weighing a bid.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder cannot run against due to term limits.

Schuette has a long history in Michigan politics, having been a congressman, state senator and appellate judge.  But being a career politician might end up costing him, said WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick.

"His problem is Donald Trump won in Michigan with voters who did not like career politicians," said Skubick. "So how does Mr. Schuette handle that? He can't tell people he didn't do this stuff. He's basically got to say I'm qualified, and that's part of the reason why I am. Will Trump voters buy that, in their anti-government attitude? Big question mark for Bill Schuette."

© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.