Attorney Mark Bernstein explains why he's not running for governor

(WJBK) - After well-known Detroit lawyer Mark Bernstein announced he will not run for governor, FOX2's Tim Skubick spoke with him privately to learn the reasons behind that decision to stay out of the race.

The buzz on Mackinac Island on June 1 was loud and clear -- all indications pointed to Bernstein running for governor. 

He was pressing the flesh and doing everything he could to position himself for a run for governor next year.

Family has always been the major element in his decision and for the first time he revealed that his two elementary school children and his spouse had signed off on him running.

That green light was significant and pointed to him running.

But Bernstein concluded he did not want to put his young family through this grueling and time away from family campaign. 

So in this Facebook posting at noon, he said he would not run.

He called Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer this morning with the good news for her. 

He concluded the Democratic Party did not need an expensive and divisive primary battle, which a Bernstein vs. Whitmer combat would have been. 

He's endorsing her instead.

Bernstein had the name ID thanks to all those TV commercials. He had access to the money needed to run. Politically, it was a Bernstein advantage that other did not have.

But he won't take advantage of the advantage as he watches the 2018 race for governor from the sidelines and not in the arena.