Rep. Wheeler Smith abandons bid for governor (MI)

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State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith ended her bid for the Democratic nomination for governor this morning, leaving only two candidates in a primary that has been topsy-turvy almost since it began.

Smith, 69, from Salem Township in Washtenaw County, did not make a formal endorsement of either of her rivals, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero or state House Speaker Andy Dillon.

But she said in a statement that she shared a “concern of splitting the progressive vote and ending up with a candidate that does not represent core Democratic values.” Smith and Bernero were viewed as the party’s more liberal candidates, by comparison with Dillon, who has at times alienated key Democratic constituencies.

“Democrats need to unify behind a candidate and I have come to believe that my continued candidacy would only serve to divide us further,” Smith said. A spokesman said she was unavailable for additional comment.

http://www.freep.com/article/20100510/NEWS15/100510012/1320/Rep.-Wheeler-Smith-abandons-bid-for-governor?GID=tFrIBdRh8Dn6tfiBSullK9ho/u44L4aadjuGZhjL/fk%3D