In response, Granholm has created a Jobs Fund initiative which will pour more than $2 billion into new sectors including alternative energy and the life sciences.

Why it matters

Gov. Jennifer Granholm is the right choice for Michigan’s future

Granholm also inherited a state with a $4 billion deficit and has had to work during her first term to pull ahead.

Starting over is not what our state needs. Voters will be investing in the future of Michigan by voting to re-elect Granholm.

Education first

It has become apparent our state must evolve from our auto industry-dependent roots to a more diverse economic climate.

How does a state begin an evolution? Education.

Under Granholm, K-12 education funding is at an all-time high of $7,085 per student. The governor also has proposed a New Merit Award scholarship, giving each Michigan high school student $4,000 for higher education.

Granholm is investing in the state’s future by keeping education a priority.

Granholm also has a plan to make health care available to all of Michigan’s residents.

The governor’s Michigan First Health Care Plan would make private health care available to more than 500,000 uninsured Michiganders.

Reducing the number of uninsured citizens will help lift the burden from those who are forced to subsidize the uninsured.

West-side kingpin

Granholm’s challenger, Republican Dick DeVos, is quick to point out all he has done to improve Grand Rapids.

The DeVos family has spent millions on improvements in the state’s second-largest city.

Downtown Grand Rapids is thriving, and DeVos helped make that happen.

But the ability to write million-dollar checks to build up a city is not a commendable trait for a governor.

DeVos simply is a former CEO who had the means to run for governor.

According to campaign finance reports filed Friday, and as reported in The Detroit News on Saturday, DeVos has spent $34.6 million of his own money during his campaign.

A large checkbook cannot buy the governor’s office.

While DeVos’ success and exorbitant bank account may be a flashy beacon for frustrated Michiganders, the fact remains this family businessman is not equipped to lead our state.

A dedicated public servant

Before becoming governor, Granholm was elected Michigan’s first female attorney general in 1998.

Granholm is a Harvard-educated lawyer who also has served as a court clerk and federal prosecutor.

DeVos, in contrast, inherited a family business — albeit a multibillion dollar global corporation — and has a bachelor’s degree from Northwood University in Midland.

Not to say that DeVos isn’t well-educated, but in comparison to Granholm, he is lacking in education and experience.

Granholm already has the tools necessary to lead Michigan; not only does she have a mastery of the law, she’s familiar with the territory.

A tough road ahead

The road ahead will not be an easy one for Granholm.

She must actively work to create an environment in Michigan that fosters growth.

The governor needs to make allies wherever she can — including in the White House, a power DeVos has mentioned his ties to more than once.

If Granholm is to take Michigan out of its slump, she needs to pull out all the stops. She needs to foster a strong working environment with Republicans and Democrats alike.

Pulling the governor from office now, halfway between a $4 billion deficit and a struggling economy, will only create more problems by setting someone new on that tough road — someone who hasn’t already walked it.

This isn’t the time to bring in someone new.

Vote Granholm.