University of Michigan Board of Regents Chair Mark Bernstein announced that he will not run for Michigan governor in 2018.
In a series of tweets, Bernstein said that the decision came after "much exploration and discussion with my family."
Bernstein was a potential candidate for the Democratic ticket, along with Gretchen Whitmer who already announce her candidacy.
Another possible candidate is attorney Geoffrey Fieger, who said he is "darn serious" about running for governor 20 years after he won the Democratic primary but lost to Republican incumbent John Engler.
Bernstein also tweeted that he and his family "will continue to fight and win for those who need a voice in the legal system," as well as working on advocating for women's health, the environment, civil rights, affordable college and more.
He said he will instead support Whitmer, who served as Ingham County Prosecutor until Jan. 1. She also served in both the Michigan House and Senate.
"A divisive and expensive Democratic primary would only distract us from the task of winning in November 2018," he tweeted. "My desire to engage in this election, as a candidate, with decency and dignity, with a strong motivating force in my deliberations."
