Governor
Republican Rick Snyder beat Democrat Virg Bernero in the race for governor. Snyder says the state’s economy and government have been broken for too many years and called for inclusiveness rather than divisiveness.
Michigan Legislature
It appears that Republicans have taken control of the Michigan House and added to their majority in the state Senate. That means the GOP now controls both houses of the Michigan legislature and the Governor’s office.
Michigan Congressional Races
1st District
Republican Dan Benishek won the race to succeed veteran Democrat Bart Stupak in Michigan’s 1st District which covers all of the Upper Peninsula and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula. Stupak announced in April that he would not seek a 10th term in Washington.
3rd District
West Michigan freshman state lawmaker Justin Amash beat his Democratic challenger Pat Miles in Michigan’s 3rd District which covers parts of west Michigan. At 30 years old, Amash will become one of the nation’s youngest U.S. Congressmen.
7th District
Republican Tim Walberg beat Democratic incumbent Mark Schauer in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, which covers Jackson, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Walberg takes back the seat that he lost to Schauer two years ago in the 2008 election.
9th District
Democratic incumbent Gary Peters beat his Republican challenger Rocky Raczkowski in Michigan’s 9th District. The 9th covers most of Oakland County. This will be Peters' 2nd term.
15th District
Dearborn Democrat John Dingell has won a 28th term in the U.S. Congress but, it wasn’t easy for the 84-year old who was challenged by Tea-Party backed Republican Rob Steele. The district includes the far southeastern portion of the state, including Monroe and Ann Arbor. Dingell is the longest serving Representative in the U.S. House.
Michigan Supreme Court
Voters have re-elected incumbent Justice Robert Young Junior and picked another Republican, Wayne County Judge Mary Beth Kelly to go the Michigan Supreme Court. The election means the control of the court switches to conservatives.
Attorney General
Republican Bill Schuette has won the race to become Michigan’s next Attorney General. He easily defeated his Democratic opponent, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. Schuette succeeds term-limited Republican Mike Cox.
Secretary of State
Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson has kept Michigan’s Secretary of State office in Republican hands, she beat her Democratic opponent Jocelyn Benson. Johnson has been Oakland County Clerk for six years and ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2006 as Dick DeVos' running mate.
Proposals
Proposal 1
Michigan voters rejected a proposal that would have convened a constitutional convention to re-write the state’s constitution.
Proposal 2
Voters were in favor of Proposal 2, which will amend the state constitution to ban certain felons from running for public office for 20 years after a conviction.
