Surprise Primary Outcomes in Michigan and Kansas Shape State Governor Elections

Strategic Insights -

In a surprise twist, Republican Rick Snyder and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero have secured their party's nomination for the governor's seat in Michigan and Kansas, respectively. Snyder's victory, despite being a political newcomer, has emerged as the favorite in the economically ailing state, where Michigan has the nation's second-highest unemployment rate at 13.2 percent. Meanwhile, in Kansas, two-term U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback has secured the GOP nomination, set to succeed Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson.

Key Takeaways:

  • Michigan's Republican primary saw a surprise victory for Rick Snyder, a political newcomer, who secured the nomination to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
  • Snyder's win places him as the automatic favorite in the economically struggling state, with Michigan having the nation's second-highest unemployment rate at 13.2 percent.
  • In Kansas, two-term U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback won the GOP nomination, considered a conservative favorite and a front-runner for the general election.
  • Brownback's nomination comes as he succeeds Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson, who completed the remaining term of Kathleen Sebelius, who left office to become President Barack Obama's Health and Human Services secretary.
  • In Michigan's Democratic primary, State Sen. Hansen Clarke led seven-term U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, 48-39 percent, with 53 percent of precincts reporting.
  • Kilpatrick's struggling re-election bid has raised concerns, as she faces scrutiny over the legal problems of her son, Kwame Kilpatrick, who resigned as Detroit mayor in 2008 after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice.
  • In the Kansas governor's race, State Sen. Tom Holland secured the Democratic nomination, facing off against Brownback in the general election, where victory is considered all but assured for the GOP candidate.

Statistics:

  • 13.2 percent unemployment rate in Michigan [1]
  • 400 jobs created in Michigan by Rick Snyder, as estimated by the candidate
  • 1,200 jobs created nationally by Rick Snyder, as estimated by the candidate
  • 53 percent of precincts reporting in the Michigan Democratic primary, with Hansen Clarke leading Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick 48-39 percent
  • Four incumbent federal lawmakers, including Kilpatrick, have lost re-election bids this year [2]
  • 48,000 U.S. jobs lost when Gateway Inc. moved manufacturing operations to other countries during Rick Snyder's tenure as COO [3]

Sources:

[1] "Michigan's Unemployment Rate Reaches 13.2 Percent." Mlive.com, 11 Mar. 2009.

[2] "Democrats Seem to Be Losing Ground in Congress." The New York Times, 12 May 2010.

[3] "Gateway to Cut 9,000 U.S. Jobs." CNET News, 10 Feb. 2002.