Turns out former lt. governor John Cherry is not leaving politics
after deciding not to run for governor. Instead he will become a
multi-client lobbyist on a limited basis.
The Genesee County Democrat has hooked up with the lobbying firm
in town operated by two former Speakers of the Michigan House, Democrat
Lew Dodak and Republican Rick Johnson.
This marks the first time in the post World War II period that an
ex l.g. has joined the lobbying ranks.
Mr. Cherry did not make a quick decision on this. In fact the
first thing he did after watching Virg Bernero lose to Rick Snyder last
fall, was to head off to the Hawaiian Islands for an extended vacation.
The talks with Johnson and Dodak continued over a period of time
and came to fruition a couple of weeks ago.
Mr. Cherry, with 34 years of experience in this town, is seen as
a rainmaker who can bring more clients to the rooster of clients the
two former speakers now have.
He is respected on both sides of the aisle and many folks in town
still believe he would have been a pretty good governor, but that gig
did not work out and now he and his former legislative colleagues hope
this one will.
He joins the lobby corps on April 11th, one day before lawmakers
return from their two week Spring break.
Look for a formal announcement of all this soon.