Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder submits petitions to run for governor
Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder today submitted some 30,000 petitions to place him on the Republican gubernatorial primary ballot in the August election.
Snyder, former president of computer maker Gateway Inc. and founder of Ann Arbor SPARK, has catapulted from political obscurity into legitimate contention for the Republican nomination. He is placing a heavy emphasis on revitalizing Michigan's economy by reworking the tax code, eliminating most tax incentives and restructuring the state's economic development strategy.
“A new Michigan requires new leadership in Lansing with common sense
solutions and a commitment to delivering results,” Snyder said in a
statement. “It is time for us to work together to remove political
roadblocks that cause our businesses and families frustration and
instead harness our state's innovation. I’m grateful for the support of
so many Michiganders who are working hard to usher in a new era of
innovation in Michigan.”
Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder, who is running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Michigan, speaks at an Ann Arbor town hall forum last month.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Snyder has leveraged an advertising campaign branding him as "one tough nerd" to boost his name recognition. In 2009, he donated nearly $2.7 million to help fund his campaign ads.
The Republican primary is shaping up to be an intense competition. Snyder, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, Attorney General Mike Cox and Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard are considered the main contenders.
Hoekstra has led most polls, but one poll released last month showed Hoekstra, Cox and Snyder in a statistical tie for first. The Republican candidates will debate Wednesday at Michigan State University -- the first official debate sponsored by the Michigan Republican Primary.
In the Democratic primary, Michigan Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith are running for the nomination.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com or follow him on Twitter. You can also subscribe to AnnArbor.com Business Review's weekly e-newsletter or the upcoming breaking business news e-newsletter.
Comments
Left is Right
Sat, Apr 17, 2010 : 8:58 p.m.
Right now what needs to be done seems pretty simple to me: fix Michigan's economic situation by (1) addressing the tough issues our current technique of "government by extremes" is incapable of doing such as the dealing with the chronic budget problem, and (2) addressing the jobs problem by promoting entrepreneurship and generally making it a bit easier to do business here. (Michigan was at one time the most entrepreneurial state in the nation and had a big role in creating the middle class.) Do I agree with everything Rick Snyder says? Of course not. Do I think that he can fix Michigan's problems? I think he has significantly better credentials and more promise than any other gubernatorial candidate at this time--Republican or Democrat. If he doesn't work out, I'll vote against him next time. If he does work out and issues on which we disagree become important to me, I'll vote against him next time. But this time, he'll have my vote.
iceman
Sat, Apr 17, 2010 : 9:49 a.m.
Just because I have a great teenager doesn't mean I should be a high school principal. What's good for business isn't always what's good for the people. You have to wear a lot of hats to be governor.
grye
Fri, Apr 16, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.
Rick is very smart individual, a successful businessman, and understands that we can't continue having government operating with negative cash flow for ever. He knows business; creating revenue and holding down expenses (tough concept that politicians have yet to master). He knows how to get businesses started and will do more to provide innovation that any bureaucrat ever could attempt to imagine. Electing the same group of career politicians who got Michigan into this mess will only accelerate this state down the road to self destruction.
iceman
Fri, Apr 16, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
I saw Rick's interview on TV. And it seemed to be all about me me me. On first impression, I wouldn't buy a used car from this guy! He Better look deep inside to see if he has any people skills. There are a lot of other ways to spend you time and money other than running for governor. Start another business,that's profitable maybee?