In a private debate, held at a fundraiser for the Detroit Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, Attorney General Mike Cox said if elected Gov he will not raise taxes. But three other GOP candidates for governor — State Sen. Tom George, of Texas Township; U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland; and Terri Lynn Land, the current secretary of state — were not willing to make the same pledge, the Associated Press is reporting this morning. Democratic State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith of Washtenaw County also declined to support a no taxes pledge.

State Sen. Tom George, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra of Holland said they would not sign a no-tax-increase promise, insisting Michigan leaders shouldn’t tie their hands while looking for ways to balance the budget and revive the suffering economy.

“It would be foolish,” said George, of Kalamazoo County’s Texas Township, adding that “we don’t know what the future holds.”

And the battle for governor is off and running.