Home » News » Election 2010 »
Snyder wins gubernatorial race in biggest landslide since 1946
Rick Snyder is Michigan’s next governor.
In the widest victory since 1946 for a non-incumbent candidate, Snyder, a Republican Ann Arbor businessman, defeated Democrat Virg Bernero, 59 percent to 39 percent.
With 80 percent of precincts reporting as of 12:21 a.m. today, Snyder received 1,568,642 votes to the Lansing mayor’s 1,040,909.
The governor-elect has been projected to win since the Aug. 3 primary election, following a nationwide trend of GOP popularity.
Snyder won in the biggest margin for an open seat in 65 years, said Bill Ballenger, Inside Michigan Politics editor and former Griffin Endowed Chair.
“It appears to be the biggest Republican year even exceeding, by far, 1994,” Ballenger said, referring to the last time in recent history Republicans had victories in such wide margins.
Bill Nowling, Snyder’s campaign spokesman said the governor-elect is excited for the term to come.
“He believes the voters of Michigan have given him a mandate to reinvent Michigan,” Nowling said. “Rick’s ready to get started on day one, tomorrow.”
Nowling said Snyder will spend the next few days focused on finding members for his transition team, the people who will help him move into the governor’s office and serve as advisers and cabinet members once he assumes office next year.
In his victory speech, Snyder said he was elected to talk about the solution to the state’s problems, not to place blame.
He added it is integral for the state to change the way it operates.
“It is time for bureaucracy to go away, it’s time for a new government,” Snyder said.
Snyder is in a position to get a lot accomplished, Ballenger said.
He said because Republicans took the State House and Senate, Snyder can accomplish almost anything he wants, but what needs to be watched is if Snyder gets what he wants through bipartisan consensus.
“He hasn’t been partisan at all, which is nice for Democrats to hear now that they’re going to be in a minority,” Ballenger said.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s Democratic party never had control of both legislative houses — something which will benefit the governor-elect, Ballenger said. The last time a governor’s party had control of both houses was under Republican Gov. John Engler.
In his concession speech, Bernero said the state will watch to see if Snyder governs from the middle.
He added compromise was integral to the state’s future.
“We must root for the success of Michigan,” Bernero said. “We can’t afford to disagree just to be disagreeable.”
Granholm will meet with Snyder today about the transition process.
Ballenger said Snyder’s first priority is to complete a budget by February 2011.
“He’s got a $1.6 billion deficit and the state’s run out of gimmicks to balance the budget,” Ballenger said. “The state’s broke, something dramatic has to be done to the entire state budget process. Both the taxing side and the spending side — that’s going to be his major challenge.”
Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party Mark Brewer congratulated Snyder on his victory in a statement.
“Michigan Democrats are very proud of Virg Bernero and Brenda Lawrence,” Brewer said. “They have been great candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor who stood up for Democratic values.
“We thank them both for their past and future public service, their courageous campaign and their loyalty to the principles of the Democratic Party.”
-
Michmediaperson
-
Gary Shimmell
-
Scott
-
CMUSTUDENT
-
Michmediaperson
-
CMAlumn04
-
Really?
-
Really?
-
Really?
-
Really?
-
CMUGOU
-
Bonjburke
Chatter
-
Doomdude601: Yeah Ron Paul kind of scares, I mean it's a good-thing that we should keep
-
124: Wow! I happen to be a grandma to be and I think it's awsome! for those of u
-
Anon: Nice review but Giving Me a Chance and Bronte are 2 of my favourite songs o
-
Slichon44: So awesome! Really fun & entertaining article to read. Thanks for shari
-
Guest 2.0: What's not mentioned in this story? How many departments had to cut summe
