The matchup is set.
Bill Schuette versus Gretchen Whitmer for Michigan Governor.
But who will they each choose to run with?
Despite the primaries just wrapping up this week, the nominees have been mulling over and vetting candidates for the Lieutenant Governors for weeks now. Just a matter of making the choices public at this point.
Wednesday night at the Michigan Republican Unity Rally in Grand Rapids, Schuette knew exactly what he was doing when he dropped a little nugget of information when asked about a potential running partner.
“I can’t tell you what her name is right now,” says Schuette. It was expected and all but confirmed, Schuette will pick a woman to run with for Governor against Whitmer.
“It makes sense because women just turned out in droves on Tuesday,” says democratic strategist Susan Demas, “and Bill Schuette is a smart guy.”
People rarely vote for the Lieutenant over the Governor but this choice can help round out the administration.
“Lieutenant Governor can bring some qualities the nominee doesn’t have,” says Demas, “Like in 2010 when Rick Snyder chose Brian Calley because he had some legislative experience where is Rick Snyder came from the private sector.”
Choices are more broad for these two longtime politicians.
“I think it could be someone who’s a legislator, it could be someone who’s running for office or it could be somebody who’s never held political office before,” says Republican strategist Dave Doyle, “But someone who has been a leader in the business community or nonprofit.” Age, gender, race, location, voting history and current position all play in to the decision and now more than ever, the candidate needs a squeaky clean history.
“First rule in selecting a running mate is do no harm,” says Doyle.
With less than 90 days left until the the general election so the names should be expected to come out soon.
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