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2014 Election Looks Similar to 2010

WMUK

Western Michigan University Political Science Professor Peter Wielhouwer says mid-term elections tend to be tough for the party that holds the White House. 

He says that was true in 2010 and again in 2014. Republicans were re-elected Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State in Michigan. The GOP also increased its majorities in the state House and Senate. Wielhouwer notes that the lone bright spot for Democrats was Congressman Gary Peters win in the U.S. Senate race over Republican Terri Lynn Land.

Republican Margaret O'Brien claimed a 60 vote win over Democrat Sean McCann in the race for state Senate race in Kalamazoo County. McCann's campaign says he is considering asking for a recount. Wielhouwer says it was likely a close race because it was an open seat with two well known candidates. He says the Democrats had a really "strong ground game." Wielhouwer says the Congressional campaign of Paul Clements may have helped McCann. Clements lost to Republican Congressman Fred Upton, but the Democratic had his strongest showing in Kalamazoo County. 

Libertarian candidate Lorence Wenke had over 7,200 votes in the state Senate race. Wielhouwer says the presumption is that most of his support comes from people who otherwise would vote for a Republican candidate. But Wielhouwer says there are some progressives who support Libertarian views on social issues such as gay marriage and drug legalization. 

Democrats had focused on driving up voter turnout. The numbers show little to no difference between this year and 2010. But Wielhouwer says the exit polls show that people who did vote Tuesday have a more favorable opinion of President Obama's job performance than the general population. Wielhouwer says that may explain why Democrat Mark Schauer came much closer than Virg Bernero did four years ago against Governor Rick Snyder, and why Gary Peters won a decisive victory for U.S. Senate. 

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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