4/4/14 - The field of Democrats has narrowed who are hoping to take advantage of the surprise announcement by Congressman Mike Rogers that he will not run for re-election. On Thursday, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero withdrew his name as a possible Democratic candidate to replace Rogers, who is leaving Congress at the end of the year to be a radio talk show host. Bernero said that despite believing âmuch is broken about Washington,â he will remain Lansingâs mayor and focus on improving the city he has led since he was elected in 2005. Bernero joins State Rep. Sam Singh and former state Rep. Mark Meadows, both East Lansing Democrats, who earlier said they would not run. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, whose mother, former state Rep. Dianne Byrum, lost by fewer than 200 votes when she ran against Rogers in 2000, says she is still mulling over a possible run for the seat and will make a decision by next week. The deadline to file is April 22nd. Former Michigan demographer Ken Darga and Central Michigan University professor Susan Grettenberger, both Lansing Democrats, previously announced they were running. On the GOP side, Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett and former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester have joined the race, while State Senator Joe Hune of Hamburg Township is still considering whether or not to make a run. (JK)
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