LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The 2010 races for governor and other statewide offices picked up Saturday as potential Democratic and Republican candidates tested the waters at political party conventions.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Attorney General Mike Cox and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land can't run for their offices again because of term limits.

But Cox and Land, both Republicans, would like to become governor next.

"Now is the time we Republicans start leading again," Cox said at the Republican convention in Lansing.

Land said it's time for "serious change" — not "change as a slogan that you see on a T-shirt."

At the Democratic convention in Detroit, delegates were expected to hear later in the day from their leaders, including Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a top 2010 Democratic gubernatorial candidate.

Republicans are coming off a rough 2008 in which they lost two congressional seats to Democrats, a state Supreme Court seat and more seats in the state House.

Democrats buoyed by President Barack Obama's win are feeling good but may face a tough battle holding onto the governor's office as Michigan continues to struggle economically.

Cherry is working to be seen as the natural choice for Democrats to back, although others also are planning to run. One Democratic candidate is state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith.

One Republican who won't be in the governor's race is U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton. He announced Friday he won't pursue the governorship.

Democrats also would like to win the attorney general and secretary of state races.

The state Senate appears to be a farm system of sorts for seeking higher office because many senators can't run again in 2010 because of term limits.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop passed out T-shirts backing his run for attorney general, while GOP Sens. Cameron Brown and Michelle McManus were at tables informing delegates about their bids for secretary of state.

Republican Sen. Tom George is eyeing a gubernatorial run, while GOP Sen. Bruce Patterson wants to run for attorney general.

Democratic Sen. Gretchen Whitmer also is considering a run for attorney general.

Republican and Democratic candidates for attorney general and secretary of state will be selected at state party conventions next year.

Gubernatorial candidates will face each other in primary elections in August 2010. But candidates often like to start building support at conventions where thousands of active party members can be recruited to help.

In the main official business handled Saturday, Republican chose Ron Weiser — a retired Ann Arbor businessman who is known as a big fundraiser — as their new party chairman. Democrats were expected to stick with Mark Brewer.