Democratic gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero plans to visit Detroit often to convince voters that he understands the city's problems and will be part of the solution.

Bernero, the mayor in Lansing, says Detroit is key to his campaign. So does Republican Rick Snyder, who also is trying to woo Detroit voters heading into the November general election.

Getting city residents to vote may be a challenge for both.

Detroit Elections director Daniel Baxter says 37 percent of the city's voters are expected at the polls in November.

Bernero's selection of Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence as his running mate was one of many campaign moves intended to give voters in the mostly black city a reason to go to the polls.

Lawrence is black and grew up in Detroit.