Fieger mulling another run for governor
May 15, 2002 - ASSOCIATED PRESS

Discuss this on The Fieger Forum

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Attorney and former gubernatorial candidate Geoffrey Fieger could make another run for governor -- this time as an independent candidate. "I'm keeping my options open," Fieger said. "I'm taking out petitions to run as an independent candidate. If I don't do this, I foreclose those options.

"Tuesday was the deadline for party candidates to submit petitions to run for statewide office. Independent candidates have until July 18. To run for governor, Fieger would need petitions signed by about 30,000 registered voters. He said he will submit 50,000 signatures.

Fieger shocked political observers by nabbing the Democratic nomination for governor in 1998. He did best among black voters in Detroit, a key constituency for all Democrats seeking statewide office. The 51-year-old Fieger who became famous defending assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian went on to get only 38 percent of the vote against Republican incumbent John Engler.

Stressing that he has not yet committed to a run, Fieger, who now lives in Bloomfield Hills, said he still wants to be involved. "I'm interested in who wins the Democratic primary," Fieger said. "I like David Bonior and I like Jim Blanchard. I could see myself supporting one of them. I don't hear as much from Jennifer Granholm. I have a lot more question marks about her.

"Granholm's relationship with Fieger is marked by a public rift that began during their campaigns four years ago. He was at the top of the Democratic ticket for governor and she was running for attorney general. She criticized a crime plan Fieger proposed, which would have released from jail some nonviolent offenders. Fieger insists his potential run is about policy, not personality. "Some people want to anoint one person," Fieger said. "I think that's a bad idea." Granholm spokesman Chris DeWitt declined comment on a potential Fieger candidacy.

Fieger's last run for governor was almost completely self-financed. He spent nearly $6 million on the race, and he could do it again. He has made millions as a trial lawyer, winning one judgment for $57 million only last week. He also believes he could win."If both parties have vigorous primaries, both candidates would be broke (heading into the general election)," Fieger said. "That would be very interesting."

Fieger mulling another run for governor
May 15, 2002 - ASSOCIATED PRESS

Discuss this on The Fieger Forum

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. -- Attorney and former gubernatorial candidate Geoffrey Fieger could make another run for governor -- this time as an independent candidate. "I'm keeping my options open," Fieger said. "I'm taking out petitions to run as an independent candidate. If I don't do this, I foreclose those options.

"Tuesday was the deadline for party candidates to submit petitions to run for statewide office. Independent candidates have until July 18. To run for governor, Fieger would need petitions signed by about 30,000 registered voters. He said he will submit 50,000 signatures.

Fieger shocked political observers by nabbing the Democratic nomination for governor in 1998. He did best among black voters in Detroit, a key constituency for all Democrats seeking statewide office. The 51-year-old Fieger who became famous defending assisted suicide advocate Jack Kevorkian went on to get only 38 percent of the vote against Republican incumbent John Engler.

Stressing that he has not yet committed to a run, Fieger, who now lives in Bloomfield Hills, said he still wants to be involved. "I'm interested in who wins the Democratic primary," Fieger said. "I like David Bonior and I like Jim Blanchard. I could see myself supporting one of them. I don't hear as much from Jennifer Granholm. I have a lot more question marks about her.

"Granholm's relationship with Fieger is marked by a public rift that began during their campaigns four years ago. He was at the top of the Democratic ticket for governor and she was running for attorney general. She criticized a crime plan Fieger proposed, which would have released from jail some nonviolent offenders. Fieger insists his potential run is about policy, not personality. "Some people want to anoint one person," Fieger said. "I think that's a bad idea." Granholm spokesman Chris DeWitt declined comment on a potential Fieger candidacy.

Fieger's last run for governor was almost completely self-financed. He spent nearly $6 million on the race, and he could do it again. He has made millions as a trial lawyer, winning one judgment for $57 million only last week. He also believes he could win."If both parties have vigorous primaries, both candidates would be broke (heading into the general election)," Fieger said. "That would be very interesting."