Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero met with Arab American leaders in Dearborn on Thursday at Habib’s restaurant to discuss his expected gubernatorial bid.

Lansing Mayor and expected gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero met with Arab Americans in Dearborn on Thursday.

The gathering was not a fundraising event but a meeting to discuss his potential bid.
Bernero, a Democrat, has formed an exploratory committee and is expected to officially announce his bid in coming weeks.

He spoke to the group about being the son of Italian immigrants and his plans to “rejuvenate Michigan’s ailing economy with an aggressive agenda to protect American workers,” according to those who attended.

He asked for Arab American involvment in the campaign and promised diversity in his administration if he were to become governor.

Also on Thursday, state House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford, announced the formation of an exploratory committee for his own gubernatorial bid.

Lt. Gov. John Cherry has withdrawn from the race and both Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer have said they’re not interested in running.

The Republican field is also expected to include Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, state Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder.

Primaries are be held in August ahead of the November election to replace term-limited Gov. Jennifer Granholm.