“For that reason, I am here to announce that we want to take our bold approach from the city of Lansing to the state Capitol,” Bernero said to about 50 supporters at the Lansing Center.

Bernero said he would work to enact a tuition freeze for colleges and universities, implement a two-year moratorium on home foreclosures and try to decrease credit interest rates if elected.

“At a time when education beyond high school is more important than ever, a college education is far out of reach for too many working families,” he said. “We have to make sure a college education is within the grasp of every youngster.”

The 45-year-old politician, who served in the Michigan House and Senate before he was elected mayor of Lansing in 2005, likely is the clubhouse leader for the Democratic nomination.

State Rep. Alma Wheeler-Smith, D-Salem Township, is the only other Democrat to announce her candidacy, but she posted weak fundraising numbers in 2009 compared to Republican counterparts. Detroit businesswoman Denise Ilitch, House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, former Michigan Treasurer Bob Bowman and several others are mulling a run.

If Bernero is to have a chance against Republican contenders, who polling suggests have a strong lead against Democratic opponents, he likely will need to boost his profile. In a late January poll conducted by Lansing-based polling group EPIC-MRA, 82 percent of 600 survey respondents didn’t recognize Bernero’s name.

EPIC-MRA President Bernie Porn said Bernero has a shot at the nomination if he can get his name outside of the Lansing area.

“He is behind overall, but that is because he is not well-known outside the Lansing media market,” Porn said. “If he becomes well-known and can come up with spending to make it through the primary, he would have a chance.”

Although Bernero might not be a household name, he figures to do well with labor-aligned voters, who typically favor Democrats. The son of a General Motors Corp. employee, Bernero has made national headlines for his vocal support of the automotive industry.

“A lot will depend on where labor comes down with their support on candidates in the primary,” Porn said.

Mike Green, president of UAW Local 652, which represents hourly workers in Lansing automotive plants, said no candidate has been endorsed by the union.

Doug Pratt, spokesman for the Michigan Education Association, said the education union has not yet endorsed a candidate but will side with a candidate who supports students.

Former Lansing City Councilwoman Sandy Allen, who worked with Bernero on Lansing’s City Council, said she has disagreed with Bernero on some issues but found his work has benefited Lansing.

“My only problem with Virg Bernero (is) his attitude,” she said. “He said to me at one point, ‘Either you are 100 percent with me or you’re against me,’ and that kind of attitude is difficult for me.”

Linda Lee Tarver, chairwoman of the Ingham County Republican Party, said Bernero acted moderately as mayor of Lansing.

“As it comes to partisanship, Virg is a moderate,” she said. “But whether or not the Democratic base will allow him to lead as a moderate, I don’t know.”

If Bernero wins the election, his mayoral position would be offered to Lansing City Council President A’Lynne Robinson, who said the city would benefit from Bernero succeeding Granholm.

“It’s certainly not going to hurt Lansing to have a friend in the state Capitol,” Robinson said.