(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/07/2025) A bit of ancient Michigan political history was revisited last week on a story that materialized back in the days of Gov. Rick Snyder, when the Senate was run by then-Majority Leader Randy Richardville and the Democratic Minority Leader was Gretchen Whitmer . . . yes, that Gretchen Whitmer. 

The two of them managed what many thought was impossible -- finding 20 votes in the Senate to pass the state's contribution to the so-called Grand Bargain to get Detroit out of bankruptcy in 2014. When they counted Senate noses, 12 were picked up by Whitmer and the other eight by the aforementioned Richardville.  And the state's cash was part of the overall package that propelled the Motor City to the comeback status it enjoys today. 

But around that same time it was reported that there had been conversations between these two principals to forge what would have been the most unusual, yet totally intriguing political move that would have been historic in the state. Over beers, Whitmer and Richardville kicked around the notion that one of them would run for governor and the other would run as lieutenant governor. The back-and-forth, according to Richardville, went like this: 

"I told her she should run for governor and I would be her lieutenant governor and she told me, 'Oh, no. You run for governor and I will be lieutenant governor." And so it went and believe it or not, there were a number of huddles on the topic, but in the end the conclusion was, they could never get it past their respective political parties. 

However, the far-fetched notion could theoretically get new life in this current race for governor. 

What if former Democrat-turned-independent Mike Duggan picked a Republican as his running mate? 

Bet Richardville and Whitmer would have a good laugh over that . . . missed it by 12 years.