I may be a Republican and Governor Granholm may be a Democrat, but I truly want her to succeed. She is my governor -- she is our governor.

I firmly believe it's time for our leaders in Lansing to end the partisan political charade that's crippled state government and resulted in massive skepticism amongst the citizenry.

We need a political atmosphere that puts Michigan ahead of partisan politics.

The tired, old ideas of Lansing politicians aren't working anymore.

We need to think outside the box with solutions that put our great state first and foremost.

It may be the second decade of the twenty-first century, but Lansing is still looking at our challenges in a twentieth century mindset.

That needs to change.

Just as Governors Romney and Milliken were the new leaders of their generation, Michigan desperately needs new leaders for these challenging times.

We need leaders that understand government isn't the solution.

When it comes to ensuring a brighter future, Lansing -- and government at all levels -- must get out of the way of innovation and job-creators.

This will require significant overhauls and reforms of government.

We need a government that reflects the realities of the twenty-first century.

Our structure of government simply doesn't make sense.

We must reduce the burden of government on the wallets of families and the cash registers of businesses.

And most importantly, we have to stop waving goodbye to our future.

Michigan has lost one family every 12 minutes and over 20,000 students at the K-12 levels will leave our great state before the school year ends.

That is unacceptable and must stop.

We can't continue waving goodbye to our future doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers, innovators, job-creators and civic leaders.

I have lost almost all of my friends -- your children and grandchildren -- in the last few years.

Michigan's great diaspora must end.

But it won't end unless we, the citizenry, send a new generation of leaders to Lansing that understands our challenges and are committed to ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Are you willing to send a message?

I am.

And that's why I'm running for the State House.

I want to stay in my our great state.

It was Michigan ingenuity, Michigan entrepreneurship and Michigan innovation that built this country.

Our challenges may be unprecedented, but they aren't insurmountable.

And with your help, we can do this.