[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/01/26/art.stupak.gi.jpg caption="Bart Stupak of Michigan says he's staying put rather than make a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor."](CNN) - Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan says he's staying put rather than make a bid for the Democratic nomination for governor.
Stupak, a 9-term congressman who represents Michigan's upper peninsula and much of the northern part of the lower peninsula, says he'll instead run for re-election.
"I believe I can best serve the people of Michigan in the U.S. Congress. My seniority and experience in Congress, where I sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee and serve as Chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee, afford me a significant opportunity to affect positive change," said Stupak in a statement Tuesday morning.
Stupak also spoke to the timing and costs of running for governor, saying "it is difficult for me to commit to pursuing a state-wide gubernatorial campaign at this critical time. The compressed time frame and fundraising requirements necessary to secure the Democratic nomination for governor would be very difficult for me to achieve without sacrificing some of my responsibilities in Washington, DC."
Stupak's announcement comes just a couple of weeks after Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a fellow Democrat, withdrew his name from the race. Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm is term limited and prevented for running for re-election.
With the state unemployment currently at 14.3 percent and the seat open, Republicans see Michigan as a good opportunity to grab back a Democratic-held governorship.
- CNN's Dana Bash and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this story
Follow Paul Steinhauser on Twitter: @psteinhausercnn
Smart man, as there is no way Michigan voters woule elect another democrat for governor. They've had enough with the woman currently holding the governors chair. She's destroyed the state.
he is a good man michigan needs more like him...
he needs to run aganist the,," penguin "carl levin,,,,,
The dems have watched this state go down the tubes without moving an inch to save it. Their idea is always the samen
...Tax more.
Why not give a rep a shot at fixing it. Or continue the same down the tube with democrates. Levin and stab gotta go also. Wake up michigan
As a conservative, I'm glad to see the congressman stay. While I have very conservative principals, Stupak is an example of a congressman who does work across the isle and we need that balance. This country can't keep having these hard swings back and forth between right and left. We need compromise. Stalling and debate may appear bad, but it keeps the government from doing to much and it actually builds stability. As a business owner, I have no idea what to expect right now and I for sure do not want all these taxes. Not only will I not hire with those proposals on the horizon, I will lay people off. Bottom line.
Smart man
Obama is trying to look like he's center right now ! How laughable. The person that taught Saul Alinsky in College Classes....he makes "little" moves to try and convince the American People of what he is not – we are not fooled. He has an Agenda and now knows it "wont work"....however he'll keep trying.
One term Pres., if he makes it through one term, due to his obvious dislike of his own Country he could be gone sooner.
Joanne
Wi
Good... the last thing Michigan needs is a liberal tax and spend governor.
We already have that and she has single handedly driven this state into the ground.
Unlike Barack she cant even use her predecessor or George Bush into effect as an excuse.
Thats right Granholm... the state was fine when you arrived and you have driven business out and driven unemployment up to 15.7%. You are the worse governor in the country... Even Patterson in New York made a claim that you are worse then him....hahahah pretty funny.
I hope he is not reelected. He has not done his job when it comes to oversight and investigations. There is so much demorat corruption and no one is being investigated.
No this type of democrat who is ruining our party wants to stay to ruin it more. We ought to kick his butt out for good.
Shucks. And just when everyone was ready to donate to Stupe-PAC.
He says no to everything. What's new.