We’re still more than 18 months away from the 2010 Michigan gubernatorial election, but the race is already getting national attention. CQ Politics, published by the Congressional Quarterly, has an article about the race noting that the field could be very crowded:
 

[Michigan] has the highest unemployment rate in the country — over 10 percent — its largest industry, car manufacturing, is on the verge of bankruptcy and its home foreclosure rates are soaring. Yet more than a dozen potential candidates are mulling a run for the right to take charge in two years.

The possible lineup is so large that when the Michigan Education Association, the Michigan Information & Research Service and WJBK-TV were putting together a televised issue forum, they invited 25 politicians.

The article isn’t exactly up to date, however. One potential candidate listed is Don Williamson, who resigned as mayor of Flint in the last few days. It seems quite unlikely that he would attempt a run for governor at this point.

The article quotes Michigan political guru Bill Ballenger as saying that House Speaker Andy Dillon could mount a serious challenge to Lt. Gov. John Cherry in the Democratic primaries. It also mentions Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox and Republican House members Mike Rogers and Peter Hoekstra as strong contenders on the Republican side.