Michigan and 2014: A State of Play
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Transcript Michigan and 2014: A State of Play
Michigan and 2014: A
State of Play
An assessment of Michigan’s top statewide races
The MDP: think the Lions, if they
hadn’t fired Jim Schwartz
Several statewide positions lack
declared (SoS, Sup Ct) or widely
supported (AG) candidates
Statewide Democratic candidates
(Schauer, Peters, et al.) lag behind
Republican opponents
Lon Johnson, MDP Chair
Michigan Governor
Governor Rick Snyder (R) v. Mark Schauer (D)
Governor Snyder builds his lead…
Governor Snyder: < 50%, but consistently
leads Democrat Mark Schauer
Recent polling has Snyder up
… and Schauer lags behind.
Falling behind in
polling, and in resources
Tough to gain on
opponent; no specific
plans have hampered
him
US Senate
Terri Lynn Land (R) v. Rep. Gary Peters (D)
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Two Evenly Matched Teams…
Both have strong electoral
records
Land: Secretary of State victories
in 2002 and ’06
Peters: a close loss to formerAG
Cox in 2002, Congressional wins
in 2010 and ‘12
…with Land Exceeding
Expectations
In the last two quarters of 2013,
Land raised $3.6 million
According to recent FEC filings
and polling, Land has a small, but
meaningful lead
Independent ad buys bolster both
candidates.
US Chamber and MI Chamber
Endorse
War on Women comes to this race.
Really.
Michigan Supreme Court
Justices Brian Zahra, David Viviano, and an open
seat
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Snyder’s Appointments Up For
Re-election
While rare for an incumbent justice
to lose, there is precedent
In 2008 and 2010, incumbent justices
Alton Davis and Cliff Tayor were,
respectively, defeated
No announced candidates, but worth
keeping an eye on the vacant seat up
for grabs
Justice Brian Zahra
Justice David Viviano
US Congress
Races to watch: Rep. Dan Benishek (R, MI-1), Justin Amash (R,
MI-3), Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI-7), Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R,
MI-11)
Open Seats:
4-R- Konetchy v. Mitchell v. Moolenaar (Camp)
8-R- Bishop v. McMillin (Rogers open);
D-Darga v. Gretternberg v. Hank v. Scherzing
14: D- Burgess v. Clarke v. Hobbs v. Lawrence
A Tight Race in Michigan’s
st
1
Benishek’s 2012 race one of the
tightest in the nation
In 2014, Benishek’s opponent is
county sheriff Jerry Cannon
Cannon proving to be a strong
fundraiser, but gaffe-prone
Jerry Cannon (l) and Rep. Dan Benishek (r)
Primaries to Watch
Michigan’s 11th
Seat currently held by incumber
Kerry Bentivolio
Challenger: Oakland County
businessman Dave Trott.
Endorsed by MI Chamber.
In the last quarter of 2013, Trott
outraised Bentivolio 10 to 1.
Trott is on tv. Bentivolio hearing
today in Plymouth
Michigan’s 3rd
Libertarian Republican Rep.
Justin Amash faces primary
challenger Brian Ellis
Amash endorsed by Club for
Growth, Freedomworks
Ellis ad hitting Amash on RTL
issues/legislative record
Primaries to Watch
Michigan’s 8th
Michigan’s 4th
Republican +3-4
Republican +5-6
Conservative Mike Bishop v.
Peter Konetchy v. Paul Mitchell
Libertarian/Tea party Tom
McMillin
Congressman Rogers endorsed
Bishop; Congressman Amash
endorsed McMillin
v. John Moolenaar
Paul Mitchell went up with 2nd
ad; organization
John Moolenaar: Popular
legislator; endorsements from
elected officials/grassroots
activists
Generals to Watch
Michigan’s 7th
Republican +3-4
Conservative Republican Tim
Walberg. Gadfly primary Daniel
Radcliffe North.
Democrat Pam Byrnes
Competitive fundraising in 1st
quarter
Michigan’s 14th
Democrat Battle Royale: former
Congressman Hansen Clarke;
State Rep Rudy Hobbs;
Southfield Mayor Brenda
Lawrence; and Burgess Foster
A Conyers makes the ballot.
Republican Christina Conyers
Attorney General and
Secretary of State
AG Bill Schuette (R) v. Totten/Dillard (D);
SoS Ruth Johnson (R) v. Nobody (D)
Schuette and Johnson: Free
Ride to the End Zone?
SoS Ruth Johnson (R) has no
announced opponent, with Byrum
silent and Brown running as
Schauer’s LG candidate
AG Schuette faces Mark Totten or
Goddfrey Dillard, who both lack
wide support among Democrats
SoS Ruth Johnson (l), AG Bill Schuette (r)
Michigan Legislature
Likely GOP holds in Senate and House
Michigan Legislature Highlights
House
Senate
59-51 GOP majority
26-12 GOP majority
GOP Pickup to Watch:Canton area: Fausone
v. Pagan/Mathas/Mosher;
4 key races all held by GOP
Open Monroe Zorn seat: Jason Sheppard v
Mima Kubiske. V. Dem Tom Redmond
7th: Colbeck (R) v. Slavens (D)
Rising star: Livonia seats; Wayne Cty
Commissioner Cox (R) likely Livonia
candidate v. Crider
Holly Hughes (R) could flip Rep. Lamonte
(D) seat, as could Tom Barrett (R) with Rep.
Abed (D)
Competitive GOP-held seats in Troy and
downriver Wayne with Howylrak and
Sommerville, respectively
17th: Zorn (R) v. Spade (D) (Open)
20th: O’Brien, Wenke, Zuiderveen (R)
v. Sean McCann (D)
32nd: Ken Horn (R) v, Stacey Erwin
Oakes, Lewis, Federspiel (D)
Ballot Initiatives
Minimum Wage hike, Personal Property Tax exemption
Part-time legislature; Wolf Hunting
Ballot Initiatives to Watch
Raise MI:
Minimum Wage hike
Effort to put the hike on the
ballot still developing—
Restaurant Opportunity Center
$206,000 raised; $147,000 in-
kind; $32,000 on hand
Competing legislative proposal.
Part-Time Legislaature
Low on funds. $48,000 for cycle;
$10,000 on hand
Not sure signatures will happen
Key contributors: Dave Agema;
Ballot Initiatives to Watch
PPT Reform
Citizens for Strong Safe Communities:
$5.2 Million Raised
Serious Money: Ford $2 million; Dow
$1.5 million; MMA $1.2 Million
$125,000 spent on start-up costs
Ballot Initiatives to Watch
Wolf Hunting
Effort to put the hike on the ballot still developing. Signatures
collected
2012 US Fish and Wildlife Deregulated Wolf from endangered
species
MI Dept. Natural Resources allowed to regulate wolf hunting
season. 700 Wolves. Nov/Dec 2013—43 wolf hunted
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Competing proposals. Pro-signatures for citizens initative will be
turned in and opposing will be knocked off.
Ballot Initiatives to Watch
Wolf Hunting—Keep
Michigan Wolves
Protected
$1.4 Million Raised; $1,000,000
spent; $427, 594 on hand
Most spending collecting
signatures
Humane Society Backing
Citizens for Professional
Wildlife Management
Ballot initiative to reinforce MI
NRC allowing hunts
$464, 398 raised $430,000 spent;
$36,529 on hand
Conservation groups supporting
Questions?