What’s at stake in Michigan elections
By Mike Householder
Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — A look at what to watch for in today’s midterm elections in Michigan.
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TOP OF THE TICKET
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder is vying for another four years as the state’s chief executive.
But unlike 2010, when the outsider venture capitalist rolled to an 18-point victory, Snyder faces a tougher challenge from seasoned campaigner Mark Schauer, the Democratic nominee.
Schauer, a former congressman and state lawmaker from Battle Creek, has been hammering away at Snyder for months, saying his policies favor the wealthy and the business community.
He derisively refers to Snyder as the wealthy “CEO governor” whose budget overhaul cut taxes on businesses while reducing breaks for pensioners and others.
Snyder calls Schauer a “professional politician” who would return Michigan to an era of government dysfunction. The self-professed “one tough nerd,” says his pragmatic solutions for turning around Michigan’s economy are working.
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JUNIOR SENATOR
Michigan is electing a new junior senator.
That’s because longtime U.S. Sen. Carl Levin is retiring at the end of his term, opening the door for someone to serve alongside Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who is in her third term.
Former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, the GOP’s nominee from Byron Center, represents the party’s best hope in some time of securing one of the two Michigan Senate seats.
Her goals include voting “to repeal and replace Obamacare,” working to secure the U.S. borders and opposing amnesty for people in the country illegally.
Land faces Gary Peters, a Democratic congressman from Oakland County.
He has said his top issue also is the economy. For him that includes guaranteeing “access to affordable, quality health care” and the ability to “retire with dignity” with Social Security and Medicare.
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NEW-LOOK U.S. HOUSE DELEGATION
Michigan will send at least four new faces to the U.S. House, thanks to open seats.
That number most likely will grow to five when factoring in the 11th District in suburban Detroit, where incumbent Rep. Kerry Bentivolio lost in the Republican primary but has declared as a write-in candidate.
Regardless, the current 9-5 GOP advantage appears relatively safe.
Democrats’ best opportunity to pick up a seat could come in northern Michigan’s sprawling 1st District, where two-term Republican Rep. Dan Benishek is being challenged by Jerry Cannon, a retired Army National Guard major general and longtime Kalkaska County sheriff.
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OTHER RACES
Republican incumbents Bill Schuette and Ruth Johnson are running for second terms as attorney general and secretary of state, respectively.
The GOP is expected to maintain control of the state House, state Senate and state Supreme Court.
Voters also are getting the chance to take a stand on whether wolf hunting should be allowed, via a pair of statewide ballot measures.
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AT THE POLLS
Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters with absentee ballots have until 8 p.m. to complete and return them to the clerk’s office.
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