Byrum, D- Onandaga, who cannot run for her post again because of term limits, said she received a call from Swope on Tuesday afternoon letting her know of his intentions not to run. She said the two plan on sitting down next week and that she looks forward to working with him.

Live in Eaton County or elsewhere in the 7th Congressional District? A Democrat with some prior elected office experience? Have access to a little bit of money? No criminal record? The Michigan Democratic Party needs you. Call Mark. (517) 371-5410.

He’s also signed on to a plan with neighboring Democratic state rep candidate Doug Drake to get voter approval for a $2 billion bond that would be used to cover tuition costs for Michigan students if they live and work in Michigan after graduation. Those who move out-of-state would gradually pay the money back.

Salivating over a scorched earth Republican primary here a week ago, Michigan Democrats are moving all of their chips to the middle right now. In March. Let’s go.

Attorney General Bill Schuette, Romney'euro;'s campaign chief in Michigan, is fond of saying that if Obama loses the Great Lakes State, he can kiss the General Election goodbye. Right now, the lowly Detroit Pistons have a better shot of winning the NBA championship.

Standing in front of the Veterans Memorial Courthouse in downtown Lansing, Byrum took a few digs at the current officeholder, retiring Clerk Mike Bryanton, who is backing Lansing Clerk Chris Swope as his successor in the Democratic primary.

Lost somewhere in the hubbub about Rick Santorum’s sudden lead over eventual 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in some national and Michigan polls was a bit Monday on The New York Times’ website headlined “Pro-Romney Group Buys Almost $500,000 in TV Ads In Michigan.”

The explosive reaction generated news coverage in India and England. Political bloggers at The New York Times, Washington Post and Politico panned it. Slate tweeted that it’s “stupid and blatantly xenophobic to an embarrassing degree.” Comedy Central awarded it the “Creepiest Super Bowl ad.”

Ferguson, a Democrat, says he still feels like he’s adding value to the university’s eight-member governing board. He enjoys what he’s doing and, at age 73, Ferguson is still viewed as the public face and leader of the statewide elected board.

Karger lived with a male partner for 10 years, but he hid the news, rushing his partner out and hiding pictures on family visits.