Gov. Rick Snyder: I will focus my attention on Michigan's continuing comeback, telling our story

It’s time to accelerate efforts, create more opportunities for future

LANSING: Gov. Rick Snyder released the following statement: 

“Michigan is America’s comeback state. Unemployment has dropped to its lowest point in 14 years, nearly 400,000 private sector jobs have been created and for the first time in a long time, Detroit is on the path to becoming a great city again.

“But our work is not done and there are still historic issues to solve. When I ran for reelection, I promised my fellow Michiganders that the job was not done, that we could not be complacent, that it was time to accelerate and get even more done to reinvent our state and create opportunities for our future.

“I do not have plans to run for president in 2016. I will focus my attention on continuing Michigan’s reinvention. I will continue to tell Michigan’s comeback story nationally because our reinvention should not be unique to just our state. In addition, being loud and proud about Michigan can help grow our state by attracting more investment, businesses, and new residents.  

“While too much of our political system is focused on partisan fights, Michigan has been using what I call “Relentless Positive Action” to solve problems.  Michigan's comeback is the blueprint for job creation, balanced and drama-free budgets and effective, efficient, accountable government.” 

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Ed. Note:

Snyder's statement on May 7 ended a small wavelet of speculation.  For example a Jan. 27, 2014 article by The Associated Press' Ken Thomas and Scott Bauer ("Governors Deliver Speeches, With An Eye on 2016") referred to "quiet but persistent buzz among Republican donors" about Snyder.  But Snyder was not subject of more widespread presidential speculation until April 2015.  An April 17, 2015 article by AP's David Eggert ("Fund to help Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder raises prospect of Republican presidential bid") seemed to start the ball rolling; the article highlighted formation of a 501(c)(4) group, Making Government Accountable.  The piece de resistance came on April 28 with reports out of a Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Las Vegas quoting former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman saying, "I met with Rick Snyder yesterday.  He's running.  He's running."