Bernero, mayor of Mich. state capital, wins Democratic primary for governor over House Speaker

Lansing mayor wins Dem. primary for Mich. governor

DETROIT — The mayor of Michigan’s state capital has won the Democratic primary for governor over the party’s highest-ranking state lawmaker.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero defeated House Speaker Andy Dillon on Tuesday. Many voters cited reviving Michigan’s struggling economy as a key issue.

The 46-year-old Bernero wasn’t well-known outside the capital city, where he’s been mayor since 2006. But he received a significant boost from labor unions and repeatedly touted his support for abortion rights.

Dillon is a conservative on certain social and economic issues.

Five candidates are seeking the Republican nomination for governor.

Current Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm can’t run again because of term limits.