By Steve Carmody, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI – The election is still a year away but the race for Michigan's Attorney General's office is heating up. Former Michigan congressman Bill Schuette is formally launching his campaign for state Attorney General this week with stops in Midland, Southfield, Grand Rapids and Lansing.
Schuette says Michigan's next attorney general must protect people and support law enforcement.
"Our state's economic recovery and re-alignment will be forever at risk if Lansing continues to pursue the policies that endanger the safety and security of Michigan's families," he says.
Schuette declined to talk about what cuts might be necessary in the Attorney General's office with the state facing major budget cuts.
State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and State Senator Bruce Patterson are also considered contenders with Schuette for the Republican nomination.
State Senator Gretchen Whitmer and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton are among the Democrats weighing a run for their party's nomination. Current Attorney General Mike Cox is running for governor.