Former top lawmakers endorse Cherry for governor

Mark Hornbeck / Detroit news Lansing Bureau

Lansing -- The four former Democratic Speakers of the House dating back to 1975 today endorsed Lieutenant Gov. John Cherry for governor.

The ex-lawmakers said Cherry's long-time service in the Legislature and his seven years as Gov. Jennifer Granholm's lieutenant make him most qualified for the job.

"I'm impressed with him because he has the background and experience that sometimes is lacking today," said Bobby Crim, who was speaker from 1975-82.

The former speakers placed much of the blame on term limits for recent breakdowns in budget negotiations.

"Institutional experience and memory are missed in this process," said Lewis Dodak, speaker from 1989-92. "John Cherry brings that."

Asked why Cherry hasn't brought that experience to bear on the process as lieutenant governor, Gary Owen, speaker from 1983-88 said the No. 2 person doesn't have the power to lead the budget resolution.

"The bottom line is the governor is the governor and the lieutenant governor is the lieutenant governor," Owen said.

But the speakers would not say Granholm, whose approval ratings have fallen sharply, will hurt Cherry's chances of winning the governor's race next year because she took the job during tough times and made the best of it.

"I don't think she'll be a liability," said Curtis Hertel, speaker from 1997-98.

Current House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, may be Cherry's top competitor for the Democratic nomination next year. But Chris DeWitt, spokesman for the Cherry campaign, said that wasn't part of the rationale for putting together today's news conference.

"We did the same thing for Granholm when she ran," DeWitt said.

Cherry has not officially said he's running, but is expected to make an announcement early next year. Other Democrats running or considering running for governor are Rep. Alma Wheeler-Smith, D-Ypsilanti, former MSU football coach George Perles and former Rep. John Freeman of Madison Heights.

mhornbeck@detnews.com (313) 222-2470