LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Ex- Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says in a newspaper opinion piece that he is a "son of Detroit."

State Democrats contend he "would have let Detroit go bankrupt."

Michigan holds its Republican presidential primary Feb. 28.

U.S. Reps. John. Dingell and Sander Levin, state Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer and ex-Gov. Jennifer Granholm criticized Romney's Detroit News article Tuesday afternoon during a conference call with reporters.

The article criticizes President Barack Obama and the government bailouts for General Motors and Chrysler. Romney also released a new TV ad Tuesday touting his Michigan roots.

Granholm says that instead of supporting the state, Romney "stabbed" Michigan in the back and is now trying to change his position to please prospective voters.