Fmr. Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard announces governor candidacy
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Tom Leonard, a former Michigan State Representative and Michigan House Speaker, announced his candidacy for governor on Tuesday.
'Michigan currently ranks second-to-last in unemployment, and our education is bottom-10 in the nation,' Leonard said in a news release announcing his campaign. 'We cannot afford another lost decade where our children are forced to leave the state for better opportunity.'
Leonard is a Republican from DeWitt and served three terms in the Michigan House from 2012 until 2019.
Before serving in the House, Leonard worked as a clerk, then later in the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office under Democratic prosecutor David Leyton.
He served as the assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan before running for state representative in Michigan's 93rd district.
Leonard unsuccessfully ran for Michigan Attorney General in 2018, losing to current Attorney General Dana Nessel. During President Donald Trump's first term, Leonard was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, but his nomination was blocked in the U.S. Senate.
Leonard announced his campaign with a launch video, along with his campaign website.
Rep. John James will join Michigan Senate Republican Leader and in seeking the MI GOP nomination.
Secretary of State , Genesee County Sheriff , and will also be running for office, declaring as Democrats.
Detroit Mayor will be running as an Independent.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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