Michigan gubernatorial election, 2010

State Executives

Current Governors
Gubernatorial Elections
2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014
Current Lt. Governors
Lt. Governor Elections
2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014

## Contents

* 1 November 2, 2010 general election results
* 2 Inauguration and transition
* 2.1 Inaugural date
* 2.2 Transition team
* 2.2.1 Appointments in the Snyder Administration
* 3 August 3, 2010 primary
* 4 Race ratings
* 4.1 Changes
* 5 Polling
* 5.1 General election polling
* 5.1.1 Glengarif Group
* 5.1.2 Public Policy Polling
* 5.1.3 Rasmussen Reports
* 5.2 Primary election polling
* 6 Candidates
* 6.1 Democratic
* 6.2 Republican
* 7 Debates
* 8 Campaign advertisements
* 9 New media usage
* 10 Gubernatorial electoral history
* 11 Presidential electoral history
* 12 See also
* 13 External links
* 14 Footnotes

In the Michigan gubernatorial election of 2010, held on November 2, 2010, Republican Rick Snyder defeated Democrat Virg Bernero. Incumbent Governor Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, was term-limited. Governor Snyder was inaugurated on January 1, 2011.

In the August 3 primary elections, Bernero, the Mayor of Lansing, beat House Speaker Andy Dillon. Snyder competed against a slate of well-known Michigan GOP names and won by just over one-third of the votes.

## November 2, 2010 general election results[edit]

All precincts have reported and been counted; results are certified as of November 19, 2010, ahead of the expected November 22, 2010 certification.[1]

Michigan Governor, 2010

Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes
| Republican  | Rick Snyder | 58.1% | 1,874,834
| Democratic  |  Virg Bernero  | 39.9% | 1,287,320
| Libertarian  |  Ken Proctor  | 0.7% | 22,390
| Taxpayers  |  Stacey Mathia  | 0.6% | 20,818
| Green  |  Harvey Mikkelson  | 0.6% | 20,699
| Other  |  Write-ins  | 0% | 27
Total Votes | 3,226,088

[2]

## Inauguration and transition[edit]

### Inaugural date[edit]

Governor-elect Rick Snyder tooks the oath of office at noon on January 1, 2011. He announced a year-long campaign to "change peoples' perceptions about Michigan," entitled "The Power of MI."[3]

The inaugural planning committee was co-chaired by Linda Gobler, president and CEO of the Michigan Grocers Association, and Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford Foundation.

### Transition team[edit]

Governor-elect Snyder's transition website was at Governor Elect Rick Snyder.

Doug Rothwell, the former Michigan economic development director, chaired the transition effort. Assisting him as co-chairs were Mark Murray, past State Treasurer, and Sharon Rothwell, the former Chief of Staff to ex-Governor John Engler.[4]

Heading individual teams in the transition were Ann Arbor SPARK President and CEO Michael Finney for the Transition Committee for Economic Development, and Central Michigan University Trustee Stephanie Comai for the Transition Committee for State Management Issues.

Snyder rolled out a "Ten Point Plan" for Michigan:[5] The list included such priorities as restoring urban centers and protecting the environment along with reform efforts targeted at taxation, education, the economy, government, and health care.

#### Appointments in the Snyder Administration[edit]

Snyder's first announced appointments, made public on November 8th, were former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus as Senior Adviser and Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon as Treasurer.[6]

Four days later, William Rustem was named as Director of Strategy. Rustem is owner of Public Sector Consultants and a adjunct professor at Michigan State University.[7]

The top appointments were announced on November 15, 2010. Dennis Muchmore was set to be Chief of Staff. Joining him were Geralyn Lasher as Director of Communications and Michael Gadola as Legal Affairs Director.[8]

## August 3, 2010 primary[edit]

2010 Race for Governor - Republican Primary[9]

Candidates  | Percentage
Mike Bouchard (R)  | 12.16%
Mike Cox (R)  | 22.96%
Tom George (R)  | 1.62%
Pete Hoekstra (R)  | 26.84%
Rick Snyder (R) | 36.42%
Total votes | 1,047,048

2010 Race for Governor - Democrat Primary[10]

Candidates  | Percentage
Virg Bernero (D) | 58.5%
Andy Dillon (D)  | 41.5%
Total votes | 528,119

Bernero, mayor of Lansing and a seasoned politico, won a reasonably easy victory over his Democratic rival. The more crowded Republican field yielded a surprise victor in political newcomer Rick Snyder. A multi-millionaire, he had largely self-financed his campaign and reaped the rewards when he more than edged out a former Congressman and Michigan's longtime state Attorney General.

Incumbent Jennifer Granholm's popularity sank with the failure of her administration's attempts to revive Michigan's faltering economy and all candidates on both the Democratic and Republican tickets pledged to cut business taxes in a bid to attract employers[11] and address the state's unenviable unemployment rates = the second highest in the nation.

On the Republican side, neither Bouchard nor George drew significant vote share, though their presence may have been enough to split votes on the three first-tier GOP contenders. Attorney General Mike Cox was dealt a blow over allegations that he mishandled an investigation into an alleged party at Detroit's mayoral mansion and, just before the primary, new accusation that he was in fact an attendee at the party and received sexual favors. Cox's campaign, in turn, had targeted former Representative Pete Hoekstra's camp. In the end, it may well have been Rick Snyder's deep pockets and outsider status in a year when voters are everything from dissatisfied to furious with the status quo that delivered the election to him.[12]

Democratic voters had only to choose between two hopefuls. Andy Dillon, the state House Speaker, ran into trouble with his social policy issues - coming out against abortion and stem cell research. Neither one polled well with his party's voters and, as predicted it, he sank at the polls. It was also undoubtedly an asset to Virg Bernero that he ultimately won the key labor endorsements in the state.

## Race ratings[edit]

See also:  Gubernatorial elections 2010, Race tracking

2010 Race Rankings Michigan

Race Tracker  | Race Rating  |
The Cook Political Report[13] | Likely Republican  |
Congressional Quarterly Politics[14] | Toss-up  |
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball[15] | Likely Republican  |
Rasmussen Reports Gubernatorial Scorecard[16] | Leans GOP  |
The Rothenberg Political Report[17] | Republican Favored  |
Overall Call | Republican |

### Changes[edit]

2\. Cook moved race from "Lean Republican" to "Likely Republican" as of October 24th.

1\. Rothenberg moved races from "Lean Republican" to "Republican Favored" in October 1st ratings.

## Polling[edit]

### General election polling[edit]

#### Glengarif Group[edit]

2010 Race for Michigan Governor - Detroit News/Local 4 WDIV (Glengarif Group, Inc.)

Date Reported  | Snyder (R)  | Bernero (D)  | Other  | Don't Know
September 7-8, 2010[18] | 56.2% | 35.9%  | \-  | 7.5%
(Sample) | n=600  | MoE=+/- 4.0%  | p=0.05  |

#### Public Policy Polling[edit]

2010 Race for Michigan Governor - Public Policy Polling

Date Reported  | Snyder (R)  | Bernero (D)  | Other  | Don't Know
September 14-19, 2010[19] | 52% | 31%  | 16%  | \-
(Sample) | n=497  | MoE=+/- 4.4%  | p=0.05  |

#### Rasmussen Reports[edit]

2010 Race for Michigan Governor - Rasmussen Reports

Date Reported  | Snyder (R)  | Bernero (D)  | Other  | Don't Know
October 17, 2010[20] | 54% | 34%  | 4%  | 8%
September 20, 2010[21] | 51% | 38%  | 2%  | 9%
August 4, 2010[22] | 49% | 37%  | 3%  | 11%
(Sample) | n=500  | MoE=+/- 4.5%  | p=0.05  |

### Primary election polling[edit]

2010 Race for Michigan Governor - Rasmussen Reports

Date Reported  | Cox  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 14, 2010[23] | 40% | 34%  | 9%  | 16%
February 9, 2010[24] | 40% | 34%  | 9%  | 17%
Date Reported  | Hoekstra  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 14, 2010[25] | 39% | 36%  | 10%  | 16%
February 9, 2010[26] | 43% | 30%  | 7%  | 19%
Date Reported  | Snyder  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 14, 2010[27] | 42% | 30%  | 7%  | 22%
Date Reported  | Bouchard  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
February 9, 2010[28] | 40% | 31%  | 9%  | 20%
Date Reported  | Hoekstra  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 14, 2010[29] | 40% | 35%  | 9%  | 17%
February 9, 2010[30] | 41% | 34%  | 10%  | 15%
Date Reported  | Snyder  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 14, 2010[31] | 41% | 33%  | 6%  | 20%
Date Reported  | Cox  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 14, 2010[32] | 39% | 37%  | 8%  | 15%
February 9, 2010[33] | 35%  | 36% | 11%  | 17%
Date Reported  | Bouchard  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
February 9, 2010[34] | 40% | 32%  | 10%  | 18%
(Sample)[35] | n=500  | MoE=+/- 4.5%  | p=0.05  |
2010 Race for Michigan Governor - Public Policy Polling[36]

Date Reported  | Bouchard  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[37] | 39% | 34%  | -%  | 27%
Date Reported  | Bouchard  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[38] | 38% | 29%  | -%  | 33%
Date Reported  | Cox  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[39] | 38% | 36%  | -%  | 27%
Date Reported  | Cox  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[40] | 40% | 32%  | -%  | 27%
Date Reported  | Hoekstra  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[41] | 41% | 34%  | -%  | 25%
Date Reported  | Hoekstra  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[42] | 41% | 32%  | -%  | 27%
Date Reported  | Snyder  | Bernero  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[43] | 44% | 28%  | -%  | 28%
Date Reported  | Snyder  | Dillon  | Other  | Don't Know
June 2, 2010[44] | 46% | 26%  | -%  | 28%

## Candidates[edit]

The November Ballot – Who Made It? Michigan Governor[45]

Nominee  | Affiliation  |
Virg Bernero | Democrat  |
Rick Snyder | Republican  |
Harley Mikkelson | Green  |
Ken Proctor | Libertarian  |
Stacey Mathia | U.S. Taxpayers  |
This lists candidates who won their state's primary or convention, or who were unopposed, and who were officially certified for the November ballot by their state's election authority.

The Michigan Department of State's Elections Divisions maintained a list of certified candidates.[46]

### Democratic[edit]

* Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, previously a member of both chambers of the Michigan legislature, positioned his campaign as an 'underdog run'.[47]
* Speaker of the State House Andy Dillon, a third-term state Representative, is trained in accountancy and law.

### Republican[edit]

* Mike Bouchard, a former Assistant Majority Leader in the State Senate and a former county sheriff, launched his campaign in June 2009 with a tour through the state, focused on meeting citizens and discussing economic and political anxieties.[48]
* Retired Marine Mike Cox has been the Attorney General of Michigan since 2003.
* Tom George, a board-certified anesthesiologist, has served in both the state House and Senate. He announced his candidacy on the 172nd anniversary of Michigan's statehood.[49][50]
* Nine term member of the U.S. House for Michigan's 2nd District Pete Hoekstra announced his intention to seek the governorship in March, 2009.[51]
* Rick Snyder, an executive and attorney with experience in venture capital, launched his campaign in the fall of 2009, soon winning the Mackinac straw poll.[52]

## Debates[edit]

In their one and only debate on Sunday, October 10, 2010, Bernero and Snyder honed in on Minchigan's economic plight.[53]

Both men pledged to work toward brining jobs to Michigan; Bernero, enjoying the backing of labor unions, fashioned his policies around issues near and dear to organized labor. Two years ago when the flood of money from Washington to the auto industry began he was a vocal champion of the auto unions' role in revitalizing Michigan's economy. Key to Bernero's debate strategy was consistently arguing that Snyder and his companies shipped jobs abroad.[54]

Snyder, whose backers came from the business sector, countered with a proposal to wipe out Michigan's business tax, a complicated formula based on both profits and gross receipts, and replace it with a simpler corporate tax.

Detroit Public TV, Michigan Gubernatorial Debate 2010

## Campaign advertisements[edit]

Mike Cox for Governor: Fighter for Life

Mike Bouchard for Governor: Guess

Virg Bernero for Governor: Make Michigan Work Again

Pete Hoekstra for Governor: Common Sense in Government

Tom George for Governor: Citizen Leader

Andy for Dillon Governor: A Different Kind of Leader

Rick Snyder for Governor: One Tough Nerd

## New media usage[edit]

Michigan 2010: How are Candidates Using Technology?

Candidate  | Bernero  | Bouchard  | Cox  | Dillon  | George  | Hoesktra  | Snyder
Delicious  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Facebook  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Flickr  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
LinkedIn  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Meetup  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
PodCasts  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Twitter  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Vimeo  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
YouTube  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

## Gubernatorial electoral history[edit]

1998 Gubernatorial Results[55]

Candidates  | Percentage
John M. Engler (R) | 61.5%
Geoffrey Fieger (D)  | 37.8%
Total votes | 3,026,579

2002 Gubernatorial Results[56]

Candidates  | Percentage
Jennifer Granholm (D) | 51.4%
Dick Posthumus (R)  | 47.4%
Douglas Campbell (G)  | 0.8%
Joseph Pelchak (USTAX)  | 0.4%
Total votes | 3,177,547

2006 Gubernatorial Results[57]

Candidates  | Percentage
Jennifer Granholm (D) | 56.4%
Dick DeVos (R)  | 42.3%
Gregory Cresswell (L)  | 0.6%
Douglas Campbell (G)  | 0.5%
Bhagawan Dashairya (USTAX)  | 0.2%
Total votes | 3,801,219

## Presidential electoral history[edit]

2000 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
George W. Bush (R)  | 46.1%
Al Gore (D) | 51.3%

2004 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
George W. Bush (R)  | 47.8%
John Kerry (D) | 51.2%

2008 Presidential Results[58]

Candidates  | Percentage
John McCain (R)  | 40.9%
Barack Obama (D) | 57.3%

1992 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
George H.W. Bush (R)  | 36.4%
Bill Clinton (D) | 43.8%

1996 Presidential Results

Candidates  | Percentage
Bob Dole (R)  | 38.5%
Bill Clinton (D) | 51.7%

## See also[edit]

* Gubernatorial elections, 2010
* Michigan lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010

## External links[edit]

* Michigan Department of State: Elections in Michigan
* Rasmussen Reports, Election 2010: Michigan Governor
* Real Clear Politics, 2010 Michigan Governor Race
* FiveThirtyEight Michigan
* Pollster, Michigan 2010 Governor's Race: Articles and Analysis
* CQ Politics Michigan Governor' Race

Candidate pages

* Virg Bernero: Democrat for Governor
* Mike Bouchard: Republican for Governor
* Mike Cox 2010
* Andy Dillon for Michigan
* Tom George for Governor
* Hoekstra for Governor
* Rick Snyder for Michigan Governor 2010

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ Michigan Department of State, "General Election Results: OFFICIAL," November 19, 2010 at 15:10, accessed November 30, 2010
2. ↑ Michigan Department of State, "2010 Official Michigan General Election Results - Governor 4 Year Term (1) Position," March 2, 2011 at 12:11," accessed February 14, 2014
3. ↑ Governor Elect Rick Snyder, "Inauguration to unleash ‘The Power of MI’," November 12, 2010
4. ↑ Governor Elect Rick Snyder, "Governor-elect Snyder Taps Doug Rothwell to Chair Transition Team," November 4, 2010
5. ↑ Governor Elect Rick Snyder, "Reinvent Michigan: Rick's 10-Point Plan," accessed November 18, 2010
6. ↑ Governor Elect Rick Snyder, "Posthumus, Dillon to join Snyder administration," November 8, 2010
7. ↑ Governor Elect Rick Snyder, "Rustem tapped to chart strategic direction...," November 12, 2010
8. ↑ Governor Elect Rick Snyder, "Governor-elect Snyder names senior staff," November 15, 2010
9. ↑ Michigan Department of State, "Unofficial Primary 2010 Election Results,Governor," accessed August 4, 2010
10. ↑ Michigan Department of State, "Unofficial Primary 2010 Election Results,Governor," accessed August 4, 2010
11. ↑ Real Clear Politics, "Michigan voters search for economic savior," July 31, 2010
12. ↑ MLive, "National media on Michigan gubernatorial primary: Snyder's outsider status was key," August 4, 2010
13. ↑ The Cook Political, “Governors: Race Ratings”
14. ↑ CQ Politics, “2010 Race Ratings: Governors”
15. ↑ Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball', “2010 Governor Ratings”
16. ↑ Rasmussen Reports', “Election 2010: Scorecard Ratings”
17. ↑ Rothenberg Political Report, “Governor Ratings”
18. ↑ The Detroit News, “Poll: Snyder keeps lead on Bernero, with few undecided," September 10, 2010
19. ↑ Public Policy Polling, “Snyder Headed to Blowout Over Bernero for MI Gov.”, September 21, 2010
20. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, “Michigan Governor: Snyder (R) Lengthens Lead Over Bernero (D)," October 19, 2010
21. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, “Michigan Governor: Snyder (R) 51%, Bernero (D) 38%," September 21, 2010
22. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, “Michigan Governor: Snyder (R) 49%, Bernero (D) 37%," August 4, 2010
23. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: GOP Hopefuls Still Hold Slight Edge," June 14, 2010
24. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: Toplines," February 9, 2010
25. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: GOP Hopefuls Still Hold Slight Edge," June 14, 2010
26. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: Toplines," February 9, 2010
27. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: GOP Hopefuls Still Hold Slight Edge," June 14, 2010
28. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: Toplines," February 9, 2010
29. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: GOP Hopefuls Still Hold Slight Edge," June 14, 2010
30. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: Toplines," February 9, 2010
31. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: GOP Hopefuls Still Hold Slight Edge," June 14, 2010
32. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: GOP Hopefuls Still Hold Slight Edge," June 14, 2010
33. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: Toplines," February 9, 2010
34. ↑ Rasmussen Reports, "Election 2010: Michigan Governor: Toplines," February 9, 2010
35. ↑ [More complete methodology and sampling tabs are available at www.RasmussenReports.com]
36. ↑ [Full crosstabs and methodology are available free of charge with the press release accompanying each poll]
37. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
38. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
39. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
40. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
41. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
42. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
43. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
44. ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder & GOP Look Strong, Dems Weak in Gov. General," June 2, 2010
45. ↑ Michigan Department of State, “2010 Official General Candidate Listing”, official as of September 14, 2010
46. ↑ Michigan Department of State, "2010 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," July 6, 2010
47. ↑ Freep.com, "Bernero embraces his underdog run with working-class gusto," June 24, 2010
48. ↑ Mike Bouchard: Republican for Governor, "Bouchard: “We will fix Lansing so Michigan can get back to work”," June 3, 2009
49. ↑ Tom George for Governor, "SENATOR TOM GEORGE FILES COMMITTEE," January 29, 2009 (dead link)
50. ↑ Dome Magazine, "The Doctor makes it clear he'd definitely in: Tom George surprises the pundit class by going for Governor," February 16, 2009
51. ↑ Hoekstra for Governor, "Hoekstra Announces He Will Seek the Republican Nomination for Governor of Michigan," March 30, 2009
52. ↑ Rick Snyder for Michigan Governor 2010, "Rick Wins Mackinac Straw Poll!" September 27, 2009
53. ↑ Wall Street Journal, "Recession Resounds, So Race Is About Economy," October 11, 2010
54. ↑ 9 & 10 News, "Michigan Gubernatorial Debate," October 11, 2010
55. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, “1998 Official Michigan General Election Results“, February 9, 1999
56. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, “2002 Official Michigan General Election Results“, December 17, 2002
57. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, “2006 Official Michigan General Election Results“, May 10, 2007
58. ↑ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections', accessed July 28, 2010

Governors

Current Governors

Alabama • Alaska • American Samoa • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Guam • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Northern Mariana Islands • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Puerto Rico • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • U.S. Virgin Islands • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming

Elections

2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 • 2016 • 2015 • 2014 • 2013 • 2012 • 2011 • 2010

Features

States with gubernatorial term limits • Election of lieutenant governors • How gubernatorial vacancies are filled • States with gubernatorial recall provisions • Gubernatorial impeachment procedures • Comparison of gubernatorial salaries • Comparison of lieutenant gubernatorial salaries • Residences of the American governors

v • e

State of Michigan
Lansing (capital)

|

Elections |

What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2026 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures

Government |

Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy