LANSING (WKZO) -- The leader of Senate Democrats in Lansing will not challenge Governor Rick Snyder in next year's election.

Senator Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing has been a very vocal critic of the governor, but says she needs to focus on her young daughters.  She released a statement saying her most important job is being a mother to her children ages ten and nine.  She faces term limits in the Senate after being elected in 2006.

Whitmer stated that she will "keep challenging the agenda of this administration."