Former Michigan AG Mike Cox announces candidacy for governor 

Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has jumped into the race to be Michigan’s next governor.

Cox, a Republican who served as attorney general from 2003 to 2011, posted to social media Tuesday his intention to seek the GOP nomination.

“I’ve protected people my entire life, fought and beat the worst of the worst. Let’s not stand by and let radical politicians or woke bureaucrats undermine us any longer. I’m running to be your Governor, and together, we can Make Michigan Great Again,” said Cox, paraphrasing President Donald Trump’s trademark slogan.

Cox is now the fifth Republican to announce for governor, joining Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township), U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), Genesee County truck driver Anthony Hudson and Traverse City native Evan Space.

On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson have each announced their campaigns for governor, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, is running as an independent.

Cox, who is married to former Michigan GOP Chair Laura Cox, previously ran for governor in 2010, but came in third in the Republican primary behind Rick Snyder, who went on to serve two-terms as governor, and Pete Hoekstra, a former congressman, who was confirmed last week as the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

Cox, a Marine Corps veteran, later opened his own law firm, best known for representing former University of Michigan student-athletes in litigation against the university for sexual abuse perpetrated by former sports physician Robert Anderson.