Whitmer ignores ‘chatter’ as Peters declines gov run

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters said Tuesday he has no intention to run for governor this year despite urging by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and others who have not yet backed Democratic primary frontrunner Gretchen Whitmer. Speaking with The Detroit News at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Peters said he was flattered by the recruitment effort but is focused on his current job. U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield, said she expects to endorse someone soon for 2018 and was not part of efforts to recruit Peters.“Right now Gretchen Whitmer is the candidate,” Lawrence said. “There’s been a lot of talk about other people and nobody else has stepped up, so Gretchen Whitmer is like the heir apparent. She’s working hard. She hasn’t been deterred by the different names thrown out there. So it looks like it’s going to be Gretchen.”