The Detroit News reports today
that retiring Rep. Candice Miller is testing the waters for a possible run for
governor in 2018.
That’s a clear change of
direction from what the Harrison Township Republican said in the spring after
her surprise announcement that she will be stepping down from Congress.
The intriguing question: What
prompted the change of heart, given that she would likely be up against two of
the most prominent Republicans in the state, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Attorney
General Bill Schuette in the ’18 race?
And who has been giving her advice
and encouragement in recent months?
Miller’s name has arisen many
times in the past as a potential gubernatorial candidate and certainly a
plausible scenario exists for an election win that would make her the successor
to term-limited Gov. Rick Snyder. In a three-way primary race with Calley and
Schuette, Miller as the female candidate with a strong base of support in
Macomb County might emerge as the instant favorite.
The congresswoman revealed her
new way of thinking this past weekend on Mackinac Island where a send-off party
for Miller became a packed, shoulder-to-shoulder event as it featured surging
presidential candidate Carly Fiorina.
Here’s how the News described the
scene:
Miller was clearly enjoying herself and the attention. And she was not
surprised she was the object of so much prognosticating.
“I’m here, I’m on Mackinac,” she says. “I’m with Carly. Of course people
speculate.”
Asked if her Mackinac turn is a testing of the waters for a gubernatorial
run, Miller says: “Absolutely it is.”
It also sounds like Miller is
nearing a presidential endorsement for Fiorina.
Back in March, this I what Miller told the News
about her future plans:
Miller said she doesn’t plan to run for governor in the future — Republican
Gov. Rick Snyder is term-limited from seeking re-election in 2018 — but said
she doesn’t rule out any future run for elective office. Miller has passed up
chances to run for governor and U.S. Senate, and said she has no regrets.
She said she is likely to find a job in the private sector, but doesn’t
plan to remain in Washington, D.C., as a lobbyist.
“I have nothing lined up,” she said of a future job, but added
that she has more to contribute.
