George Franklin
George Franklin

George Franklin, who spent 25 years at Kellogg Co. before exiting as VP- government relations in 2005, is running for Congress in Michigan to succeed Republican Fred Upton, who is considering a run for the Senate next year.

The former lobbyist will base his campaign on job creation, clean drinking water, strong schools and affordable access to healthcare.

"I'm not a career politician, and I never want to be," he said in a statement. I don't want to spend decades in Washington as part of the partisan machine."

Franklin is one of several Democrats in the race for the seat.

Prior to Kellogg, Franklin was a staffer for Jersey Congressman Frank Thompson.

He has been running Franklin Public Affairs, which has represented Kellogg, City of Battle Creek (HQ of the cereal giant), Bayside Machinery and Chalk Hill Winery.