The following is excerpted from Ron's press release of last week, ending his campaign for U of M Regent.
 
It is with a heavy heart that I write you today. The University of Michigan is important to me personally and to my family.   Being a Regent of the University would allow me to use my business background and conservative voice to help change the direction of this of this great institution. I also believe strongly in my continuing commitment to serve as the National Finance Chair of the Republican Party and win the battle for freedom.  We are all fighting to defeat Barack Obama and to elect Mitt Romney as our next President.  But the decision has been made for another important reason.

I thought that I could serve both as Finance Chair and campaign effectively as your candidate.  Something has now changed.  I have taken on another responsibility that affects both our state and our country.  As most of you know, the union bosses have raised many millions of dollars to support a Michigan ballot proposal for a constitutional amendment called "Preserve Collective Bargaining" or "Protect Our Jobs".  If this amendment were to be passed in November it would be catastrophic for our state.  According to our Attorney General, it would negate part or all of up to 180 pieces of reform legislation going back to some passed before and during the Engler administration.  It would constitutionally ban our legislature from ever passing Right to Work legislation.  I have been asked to help spearhead the effort to raise the resources, both human and financial, to beat this disastrous proposed constitutional amendment and have agreed to add it to my other responsibilities because of the absolute necessity of protecting our constitution and freedom in the workplace.

Focusing on the demands of the RNC and Ballot Proposal efforts do not leave me the time necessary to campaign effectively for U of M Regent.  Thank you to each of you who have expressed and demonstrated support for my candidacy.  Again, I am both honored and humbled.  I also ask you to join me in endorsing and supporting Dan Horning and Rob Steele as our candidates for Regent.