Morgan Bruce Reeves, a former college football star and construction company CEO, is running for governor as an independent.
Reeves, 51, ran for a seat on the Richland-Lexington 5 school board last year, finishing second in a five-candidate field.
Reeves criticized both Republicans and Democrats for not finding common ground to solve the state's urgent issues, and said one of his objectives would be to extend term limits to lawmakers.
"We need someone to bring this state together," Reeves said.
Reeves' company, the Reeves Group LLC, clears and grades lots for construction.
Reeves, who was a running back at Michigan State University, says he plans to buy an RV and cross the state talking to people and collecting signatures to get on the ballot. He will need 10,000 signatures.
There are 11 candidates for governor - six Democrats and five Republicans. Both parties will hold primary races in June to nominate a candidate for the November election.
Reeves sees himself as a third name on the ballot who could siphon votes from the traditional parties.
Reeves said he thinks he might be able to build a winning coalition among disaffected Republicans and Democrats and voters who want the state to be more business-savvy in creating jobs.
"(Winning is) not impossible," Reeves said.
- Leroy Chapman Jr.