1. To read the story click below:

http://www.detnews.com/2004/politics/0406/08/b08-174628.htm

Posted at 8:04PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Melissa Sue Robinson

2. 2 plan to run for empty seat
Election for senate position possible

By KRIS TURNER

The State News





Bernero






Robinson






Whitmer





Candidates are emerging to fill the seat of state Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing, as talks of holding a special election are still up in the air.
Bernero was elected mayor of Lansing and will officially be sworn in after the first of the year. He defeated incumbent Tony Benavides in the Nov. 8 election.

State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, and Melissa Sue Robinson, a Lansing resident, have announced plans to run if Gov. Jennifer Granholm calls for a special election.

Robinson has previously run for the mayor of Lansing, the Lansing School Board and a seat in the state House.

At this point, there isn't any plan to call for a special election, Granholm's spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.

"We'll have nothing to say about that until there is a vacancy," she said of Bernero's seat.

Although Bernero won't officially be mayor until January, he has already begun preparing for the position and has announced a transition team to help him.

"The transition is going very smoothly," said Randy Hannan, Bernero's chief of staff.

"The people have spoken about their preference and the decision is in the governor's hands (to call a special election)."

Whitmer said she is already preparing to run should the governor call for an election after the turn of the year.

"I've been working hard to reach out to voters and to get myself ready for an election, should one occur," she said. "It's my hope that there will be a special election and it will be early. We need a representative in the Senate."

Robinson is dropping out of the race for the 68th District in the House to run for Bernero's seat, and said she is putting 100 percent of her energy into attempting to fill the seat. Jerry Hollister, son of former Lansing Mayor David Hollister, has announced plans to run for the 68th District, which is currently held by Rep. Michael Murphy, D-Lansing.

"I decided I wanted to run for something that would make more of a difference," she said. "I'm more interested in the Senate because I can make a difference."

Being a part of Senate allows someone to have more of an impact on the way the state of Michigan is run, Whitmer said.

"In the Senate, one vote can make a huge difference," she said.

"It's critical we have a voice — one voice out of 38 people is louder than one voice out of 110 people."

Fighting to make Michigan's businesses stronger and creating equality for everyone are some of the things Robinson said she would like to accomplish if she is elected to the Senate.

"We need to drop laws that overtax businesses," she said. "We also need to look into laws that would help eliminate discrimination for all types of people, especially for the (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

"You can improve conditions for all people. One person can't do everything, but I can be there to put my input in and make a difference."

Posted at 8:04PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Melissa Sue Robinson

3.
To read this article click here:

http://www.statenews.com/article.phtml?pk=33348

Posted at 8:04PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Melissa Sue Robinson