After months of anticipation, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced the launch of his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday evening. Schuette already expected by political analysts to be the Republican frontrunner.
Schuette made his announcement at the Midland County Fairgrounds in his hometown. He stressed his campaign will focus on income taxes, growing Michigan’s economy and helping the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
“Michigan needs leaders who are laser-focused on jobs,” Schuette said, according to the Detroit Free Press. “More jobs, more paychecks, and more people.”
Schuette also said during the event the 2018 gubernatorial election will present voters with a choice between economic stagnancy or growth.
“We must have a governor who won’t accept the fate assigned to us by the liberal elite, who look down on manufacturing,” Schuette said.
Schuette has faced criticism from both the left and right — mainly for his involvement with the Bush family and his support of President Donald Trump.
Regardless, Schuette is expected to be the GOP frontrunner and polls noted by the Detroit Free Press already suggest he has pulled ahead of former frontrunners Gretchen Whitmer and Geoffrey Fieger.