YPSILANTI, MI – State Representative Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem) today announced that she has ended her campaign to be Michigan’s next Governor.
Smith said, “I’d love to be governor. I love Michigan and believe that I can help this state in its time of crisis. But this race is about more than me. Democrats need to unify behind a candidate and I have come to believe that my continued candidacy would only serve to divide us further. Michigan will recover because of the strength, creativity and resilience of citizens like the thousands of struggling but hopeful people I met during my campaign. I only hope our next governor will include all of us in the state’s resurgence. In the meantime, I’ll continue to serve Michigan and voice the progressive values of this state.”
Smith’s campaign announced that while they were well on a path to have the necessary signatures, it was increasingly clear that people in the field were framing this race in terms of splitting the progressive vote.
“Like many people, I share the concern of splitting the progressive vote and ending up with a candidate that does not represent core Democratic values.” Smith said, “Over the weekend I met with my campaign team, my family and many key supporters and I have, with a heavy heart, decided to call a halt to signature gathering and am closing my campaign for governor.”
