With the Nov. 4 election just around the corner, there's a couple 'should reads' out there for people trying to decipher Michigan's high-profile and tight races for governor and U.S. Senate, and a terse look at TV ad spending in judicial races for the state's highest court.
Bowzer for Peters in Michigan Senate race
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| Jon "Bowzer" Bauman |
In that race, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, a Bloomfield, Mich., Democrat, is running for Senate against former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land.
Peters' campaign announced Tuesday, Sept. 16, that Jon 'Bowzer' Bauman, former member of the band Sha Na Na, will campaign for Peters Wednesday at two Senior Votes Count! events in Flint and Lansing.
Michigan race for governer may be a nailbiter to the end
The latest poll indicates it's going to be a possible photo finish in the horse race for Michigan governor between incumbent Republican Rick Snyder and Democrat Mark Schauer.
IMP says poll has Lawrence ahead in Michigan 14th Congressional race
A poll obtained by Inside Michigan Politics says Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence is the leader in the Democratic primary in the 14th Congressional District to replace U.S. Rep. Gary Peters.
Here's what the poll by Lake Research had to say:
Here's what the poll by Lake Research had to say:
Congress shows its divide on medical marijuana amendment to spending bill
If there's any doubt that Michigan is divided over medical marijuana, just take a look at a vote in Congress Friday.
The U.S. House passed an amendment to a spending bill that restricts the Drug Enforcement Administration from using money to target medical marijuana businesses that comply with their states' laws.
Michigan's 14 members were evenly split on the amendment, with two not voting. The House was also split, passing the amendment 219-189. Here's how the Michigan voting shook out:
The U.S. House passed an amendment to a spending bill that restricts the Drug Enforcement Administration from using money to target medical marijuana businesses that comply with their states' laws.
Michigan's 14 members were evenly split on the amendment, with two not voting. The House was also split, passing the amendment 219-189. Here's how the Michigan voting shook out:
Understanding the 2014 U.S. Senate elections
If you're looking to understand the 2014 elections, Politico has a lengthy 10-map explanation that particularly dwells on U.S. Senate races around the country this year, including the Michigan contest between U.S. Rep. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township and former Michigan Republican secretary of state Terri Lynn Land.
At stake, of course, is control of the U.S. Senate for the next two years leading into the 2016 presidential election. Republicans are likely to keep control of the U.S. House, but flipping the Senate to their side essentially blocks any remaining initiatives of Democratic President Barack Obama.
Map No. 7 is of interest to Michigan voters. There, the analysis talks about states where Republicans have a chance to take traditionally Democrat-held seats this year.
The states in play, Politico reasons, are Colorado, Michigan, Iowa and New Hampshire.
In Michigan, Peters wants to replace Democratic U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, who is retiring.
Polling has flipped back and forth between Land and Peters, essentially a dead heat with six months until the November election.
The two have yet to meet face-to-face on the campaign trail, and it's unlikely such a meeting will occur until after the August primary elections, if ever.
At stake, of course, is control of the U.S. Senate for the next two years leading into the 2016 presidential election. Republicans are likely to keep control of the U.S. House, but flipping the Senate to their side essentially blocks any remaining initiatives of Democratic President Barack Obama.
Map No. 7 is of interest to Michigan voters. There, the analysis talks about states where Republicans have a chance to take traditionally Democrat-held seats this year.
The states in play, Politico reasons, are Colorado, Michigan, Iowa and New Hampshire.
In Michigan, Peters wants to replace Democratic U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, who is retiring.
Polling has flipped back and forth between Land and Peters, essentially a dead heat with six months until the November election.
The two have yet to meet face-to-face on the campaign trail, and it's unlikely such a meeting will occur until after the August primary elections, if ever.
Big bucks in some Michigan congressional races
Potholes a persistent problem since at least 1997
In April 1997, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson taunted former Republican Gov. John Engler about the condition of Michigan roads by standing thigh-deep in a pothole holding a sign saying, “Governor ... How about this pothole?”
Fun in the GOP: RINOs, PUMAs and Agema
OUT — Mainstream Republicans finally decided they've had enough of Michigan's Republican National Committee member Dave Agema, a former state lawmaker under fire recently for whacky comments derogatory to gays, such as saying they're responsible for most murders in the U.S. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Michigan GOP Chairman Bobby Schostak issued a joint statement Friday from the RNC's annual meeting saying Agema should resign. With elections underway this year, Agema is about as welcome to mainstream Republicans as a Democrat at a Tea Party meeting.
A modest proposal: The first Michigan Cold Butt U.S. Senate Debate
Political campaigns, especially for statewide offices, are largely scripted affairs.
Candidates from either party announce they’re running. Sabers being out of date, they then rattle their checkbooks to scare off competition within their own parties, and start making the rounds solidifying the loyal and raising money.
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See Also:
14 issues in Michigan U.S. Senate campaign
Michigan U.S. Senate race by the numbers_
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Then follows nearly a year of public appearances, manufactured news events and, if the race appears close enough, a debate or two aimed at wooing Michigan’s large independent and ticket-splitting population.
Candidates from either party announce they’re running. Sabers being out of date, they then rattle their checkbooks to scare off competition within their own parties, and start making the rounds solidifying the loyal and raising money.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
See Also:
14 issues in Michigan U.S. Senate campaign
Michigan U.S. Senate race by the numbers_
_________________________________________________
Then follows nearly a year of public appearances, manufactured news events and, if the race appears close enough, a debate or two aimed at wooing Michigan’s large independent and ticket-splitting population.
Issue advertising: A new push for disclosure
After outside spending in Michigan judicial races in 2012, Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is proposing new administrative rules that would require disclosure of who pays for controversial issue ads.
Issue ads are gaining national scrutiny because of their increasing use and because those who buy them are exempt from disclosing their identities.
In Michigan, so-called dark money spending even reached down to the local level in Pontiac's mayoral race Nov. 5.
Issue ads are gaining national scrutiny because of their increasing use and because those who buy them are exempt from disclosing their identities.
In Michigan, so-called dark money spending even reached down to the local level in Pontiac's mayoral race Nov. 5.
Municipal elections over, next election cycle begins
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| Farm photo before website |
The election is over. Long live the election.
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| Farm photo after website |
U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, a candidate for U.S. Senate against Republican Terri Lynn Land in 2014, launched a new website Wednesday, promising an aggressive online campaign in his bid to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Carl Levin next year, even as voters were still digesting the results of Tuesday’s municipal elections.
The jazzed up website shows Peters, a 54-year-old Bloomfield Township Democrat, in front of a pastoral picture of a farm. The website rotates through other background photos.
In Michigan, being in the top 10 isn't always a good thing
Except for the FBI's 10 Most Wanted list, being in the top 10 is usually a good thing. But not when you're singled out as among the 10 most vulnerable politicians in an election.
Patterson, former driver in America's Thanksgiving Parade?
James Cram, former driver for Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson who was left a quadriplegic in an August 2012 accident that also injured Patterson, will be in America's Thanksgiving Parade, Patterson's office says.
Politics and strange bedfellows, indeed. Tea party may be Democrats' biggest ally
There's no indication that the tea party will back down from the GOP moderates it calls RINOs, short for Republicans In Name Only. Tea party conservatives, in fact, anticipate challengers to their candidates next summer from candidates recruited by moderates, and vow to hold their ground.
That division may give Democrats the edge it wants and needs in next year's congressional elections.
Consider this message that Tea Party Nation sent out Monday morning from Judson Phillips, a former Tennessee assistant district attorney and founder of that group:
Blame game continues after partial federal government shutdown
Fresh off the 16-day partial federal government shutdown, Michigan U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, a Royal Oak Democrat, offers his own perspective in the October newsletter of the Oakland County Democratic Party.
Not surprisingly, Republicans get the blame for it from the long serving congressman, who criticizes the GOP's motivation, facts and bravery.
Here's what he had to say:
Michigan U.S. Senate and House races gear up early for 2014
Never at a loss for words, Republican L. Brooks Patterson is weighing in on two of the higher profile races on the 2014 ballot 13 months from now — U.S. Senate and the emerging battle for the 11th Congressional District.
Both races for next year already have active campaigns working.
Both races for next year already have active campaigns working.
McKenzie enters race for Michigan 11th Congressional District
Bobby McKenzie, a former counterterrorism advisor, has jumped into the 11th Congressional District race as a Democrat.McKenzie, 39, announced Thursday that we was running for the seat held by Milford Republican Kerry Bentivolio.
In making his announcement, the Canton resident was critical both of Bentivolio and Bentivolio's Republican primary opponent David Trott.
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