Who's fighting for Main Street? Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero both say they will as next governor

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder borrowed a page from the playbook of Democratic opponent Virg Bernero today, issuing a message to supporters in which he said he'll be a fighter for Main Street.

"I'm proud to announce that 'Main Street' continues to support our campaign," Snyder said in a statement. "The Michigan Retailers Association and the Associated Builders and Contractors have endorsed my candidacy. They join the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce."

Rick Snyder, left, said today he'll fight for Main Street, a message Virg Bernero, right, is spreading on his Fighting for Main Street Tour.

"These organizations represent thousands of small businesses, standing together to support our vision of a revived, vibrant Main Street," Snyder said, adding he looks forward to working with them to revitalize Michigan's economy.

Cullen Schwarz, a Bernero campaign spokesman, characterized Snyder's message as an attempt to distance himself from Wall Street. He said Snyder appears to be usurping the message Bernero is spreading on his Fighting for Main Street Tour, which is making its way across the state right now.

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," Schwarz said. "He appears to be trying to steal our campaign message, but it's too late for him to change his record now. This election is about a clear choice between Mr. Snyder's record of leading a major company who outsourced American jobs versus Virg's record of actually fighting for people and small business owners on Main Street."

Snyder is credited for growing jobs as president of computer maker Gateway, but Gateway later announced it would begin outsourcing manufacturing and some service functions in 2003 when Snyder was on the board of directors.

Bill Nowling, a Snyder campaign spokesman, could not be reached for comment.

Snyder, an Ann Arbor venture capitalist, announced today that Chris DeWitt is joining the campaign team as a senior advisor, a move seen as another attempt to appeal to Democrats and working class families. DeWitt, president of DeWitt Communications in Lansing, has worked for U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, former Attorney General Frank Kelley and Gov. Jennifer Granholm — all Democrats.

“There is a broad coalition of voters supporting Rick’s goal of reinventing Michigan," Nowling said in a statement. “Chris is a respected voice in Michigan and will help Rick Snyder articulate his positive message for Michigan’s future to a growing group of new voters and supporters.”

DeWitt offered his own remarks in a statement.

“Lansing is broken and Rick is a proven jobs creator who has the best plan to turn our state around,” DeWitt said. “I hope that all Democrats and Independent voters will put aside any partisan concerns and seriously look at helping Rick reinvent Michigan.”

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.