Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will not run for governor, the long-time Republican announced today. According to The Detroit News, Patterson said he couldn’t justify being away from his desk as CEO of Oakland County for more than a year to run for higher office. Patterson’s last jab at statewide office was in a losing 1982 bid for the U.S. Senate. Patterson has served in Oakland County’s government since becoming its prosecutor in 1972 and later county executive.

Patterson did not say who he backs for the Republican nomination for governor.

 

Patterson’s absence likely puts U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) in the leading position to with his party’s nomination. In the last survey of Republicans on who they want to be their nominee, Hoekstra was tied with Patterson at 20 percent. Trailing was Attorney General Mike Cox with 16 percent support and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land with 12 percent.