Governor ready to fight for her job: She'll share economic plan at Mackinac.

Byline: Chris Christoff

May 29--In May 1998, Jennifer Granholm captivated business VIPs on Mackinac Island as a political ingenue running for attorney general, a race she would win that fall. This week, as governor she'll hold court for the same Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Conference, eight years wiser and facing perhaps the toughest fight of her short political career. Critics blame her in part for Michigan's lagging economy. Among them is her Republican challenger, Dick DeVos, who announced his candidacy at last year's Mackinac event. Polls show the race is a dead heat, although Granholm, considered a gifted campaigner, has yet to air a campaign ad. "There will be a fight, there will be a campaign, there will be a choice. I look forward to bringing out those differences," Granholm told the Free Press last week, adding that she'll use the conference to promote her economic agenda. Once again, Mackinac Island will be the stage for …