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    Michigan gubernatorial election, 2010

    From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 9 min
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    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 Green check mark transparent.pngRick 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%
    Green check mark.jpg Rick Snyder (R) 36.42%
    Total votes 1,047,048
    2010 Race for Governor - Democrat Primary[10]
    Candidates Percentage
    Green check mark.jpg 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 Green check mark.jpg
    Facebook Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg
    Flickr Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg
    LinkedIn Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg
    Meetup Green check mark.jpg
    PodCasts Green check mark.jpg
    Twitter Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg
    Vimeo Green check mark.jpg
    YouTube Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg Green check mark.jpg

    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]

    External links[edit]

    Candidate pages

    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
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