Dem running mate says she'll fix 'mess'

DETROIT, Mich. (AP) - Brenda Lawrence, a suburban Detroit mayor, pledged to "fix the mess" in Michigan after her official introduction Saturday as the running mate for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero.

Bernero, the mayor of Lansing, is betting that having two mayors from mid-sized cities at the top of the ticket will keep the governor's office in Democratic hands. Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm has served almost eight years but is unpopular as her term nears an end.

"Main Street people, Main Street businesses -- nobody knows it better than the mayors of our communities. We are on the front lines. We feel everything the people feel," Bernero said, introducing Lawrence at a news conference at the state Democratic convention.

Lawrence, 55, has been mayor of Southfield since 2001. The city, population 78,000, is in Oakland County near Detroit. Because of its proximity to major roads, it is a regional business hub with several commercial office towers.

Bernero, who is trailing Republican nominee Rick Snyder in the latest poll, said Lawrence fits his populist campaign theme of "leadership that's connected to the people." He made at least six negative references to Wall Street.

"Brenda runs a tight ship in Southfield just like I do in the city of Lansing," Bernero said. "Like me, she balances her budget every year on time without raising taxes. Like me, her city has a double A-plus credit rating."

If Bernero wins, Lawrence would be the first black elected as lieutenant governor.

"This is a moment in history," she said. "This is a moment where two mayors are going to roll up their sleeves and fix the mess. We're going to make it right."

Michigan is burdened by high unemployment, falling home values and acute budget problems. Granholm, who can't run again because of term limits, was viewed as unfavorable by 63 percent in a poll taken Aug. 21-23.

On the GOP ticket, Snyder, a venture capitalist and former computer executive, has picked a state lawmaker, Brian Calley of Ionia County, as his running mate.

Michigan lieutenant governors don't have many official duties. In the past, they have chaired special groups that have focused on certain issues, such as higher education and social services.

"She will tackle the issues she wants to tackle," Bernero said of Lawrence.

He praised her election success and victory margins but didn't mention that Lawrence was trounced in 2008 when she ran for Oakland County executive. That same year, another Democrat, Barack Obama, easily won the county's vote for president.