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    United States Senate elections in Michigan, 2012

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    		 Michigan's 2012 elections
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    2012 U.S. Senate Elections in Michigan
    Candidates • Polls • Election History
    November 6 Election Winner:
    Debbie Stabenow Democratic Party
    Incumbent prior to election:
    Debbie Stabenow Democratic Party
    Debbie Stabenow.jpg
    Cook Political Report Race Rating
         Likely D (Prior to election)
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    2012 U.S. House Elections
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    Voters in Michigan elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the November 6, 2012 elections.


    Incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D) won re-election on November 6, 2012.[1]

    Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
    May 15, 2012
    August 7, 2012
    November 6, 2012

    Primary: Michigan has an open primary system, meaning any registered voter can vote in any party's primary.

    Voter registration: Voters were required to register to vote in the primary by July 9. For the general election, the voter registration deadline was October 9.[2]

    See also: Michigan elections, 2012

    Incumbent: The election filled the Class 1 Senate seat held by Debbie Stabenow (D). First elected in 2000, Stabenow won re-election in 2012.

    Candidates[edit]

    General election candidates

    Democratic Party Debbie Stabenow Green check mark transparent.png
    Republican Party Pete Hoekstra
    Libertarian Party Scotty Boman
    Green Party
    Harley Mikkelson
    Grey.png Richard Matkin (UST)
    Grey.png John Litle (NLP)


    August 7, 2012, primary results

    Democratic Party Democratic Primary

    Republican Party Republican Primary

    Note: The following candidates withdrew prior to the primary:[4] Chad Dewey[5], Scott Boman[6], Chuck Marino[7], and Rick Wilson[7] Peter Konetchy initially appeared on the official candidate list, but was later disqualified.[8]

    Election results[edit]

    General election[edit]

    U.S. Senate, Michigan General Election, 2012
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDebbie Stabenow Incumbent 58.8% 2,735,826
         Republican Pete Hoekstra 38% 1,767,386
         Libertarian Scotty Boman 1.8% 84,480
         Green Harley Mikkelson 0.6% 27,890
         UST Richard Matkin 0.6% 26,038
         NLP John Litle 0.2% 11,229
    Total Votes 4,652,849
    Source: Michigan Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

    Race background[edit]

    Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010 and won re-election in 2012. She ran unopposed in her party's primary on August 7th and defeated five challengers in the general election on November 6th: Republican primary victor Pete Hoekstra, and four third party challengers.

    On June 4, 2012, MLive.com reported that Republican primary candidate Peter Konetchy apparently did not file enough valid signatures to earn a spot on the ballot. U.S. Senate candidates need to file at least 15,000 valid voter signatures, but Konetchy submitted only 16,676 signatures, according to state election officials. Konetchy said that he would fight the results, and said he was "still in the race." He, along with other intended candidates Chuck Marino, Rick Wilson, Scott Boman and Chad Dewey, were ultimately disqualified from the race and did not appear on the primary ballot.[9] Boman, however, was able to re-enter the race post-primary as a third party candidate. He was on the Libertarian ticket in the general election.

    Competitiveness[edit]

    The Wall Street Journal reported in late May that Republicans were feeling less sanguine about their electoral prospects in Michigan than they had been in the afterglow of the 2010 elections, when the Governor's mansion, the attorney general's seat and both chambers in the state legislature flipped from blue to red.[10]

    Jack Lesenberry, a political commentator and professor at Wayne State University, told the Wall Street Journal, “Michigan has quietly disappeared. Hoekstra has yet to win over voters and Durant hasn’t made much headway yet.”[10]

    Stabenow had a substantial lead in fundraising with $10.2 million collected in contributions as of March 31. Hoekstra raised $2.7 million during the same time period, with Mr. Durant collecting $1.9 million.[10]

    Also according to the Journal, "there are signs that Michigan will be a tough challenge for the GOP. A poll released this week found President Barack Obama ahead of GOP presumptive nominee Mitt Romney 53% to 39%. Democratic U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow garners a similar level of approval, beating former Republican congressman Pete Hoekstra in some recent polls by double-digit margins."[10]

    According to an updated analysis of the 2012 Senate elections published by the New York Times, the race for Michigan's Class 1 Senate seat was rated as leaning Democratic. The rating was reinforced by Stabenow's persisting, commanding lead in fundraising over major party challenger Hoekstra (R).[11]

    Polls[edit]

    Debbie Stabenow vs. Pete Hoekstra
    Poll Debbie Stabenow Pete HoekstraNeitherDon't knowMargin of errorSample size
    (September 20, 2012)
    		 53%37%3%7%+/-4.5500
    Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.


    Race rating[edit]

    Cook Political Report[edit]

    Each month the Cook Political Report released race ratings for President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House (competitive only) and Governors. There are seven possible designations:[12]

         Solid Democratic
         Likely Democratic
         Lean Democratic

         Tossup

         Lean Republican
         Likely Republican
         Solid Republican

    Cook Political Report Race Rating -- Michigan Senate
    Month Rating
    November 1, 2012[13]     
    October 4, 2012[14]     
    September 13, 2012[15]     
    August 21, 2012[16]     
    July 12, 2012[17]     
    May 31, 2012[18]     
    May 10, 2012[19]     
    March 22, 2012[20]     
    March 1, 2012[21]     
    January 26, 2012[22]     
    December 22, 2011[23]     
    December 1, 2011[24]     

    Campaign donors[edit]

    Debbie Stabenow[edit]

    Debbie Stabenow (2012) Campaign Finance Reports
    ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
    for Reporting Period    		ExpendituresCash on Hand
    April Quarterly[25]March 31, 2012$5,854,686.62$1,545,238.73$(419,786.17)$6,980,139.18
    July Quarterly[26]June 30, 2012$6,980,139.18$1,491,411.01$(3,938,420.48)$4,533,129.71
    Running totals
    $3,036,649.74$(4,358,206.65)

    Clark Durant[edit]

    Clark Durant (2012) Campaign Finance Reports
    ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
    for Reporting Period    		ExpendituresCash on Hand
    April Quarterly[27]March 31, 2012$1,154,315.03$557,776.27$(260,960.84)$1,451,130.46
    July Quarterly[28]June 30, 2012$1,451,130.46$272,844.30$(302,191.63)$1,411,633.13
    Running totals
    $830,620.57$(563,152.47)

    Gary Glenn[edit]

    Gary Glenn (2012) Campaign Finance Reports
    ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
    for Reporting Period    		ExpendituresCash on Hand
    April Quarterly[29]March 31, 2012$21,215.28$46,693.83$(46,470.43)$21,438.68
    July Quarterly[30]June 30, 2012$21,438.68$42,082.69$(52,555.62)$10,965.75
    Running totals
    $88,776.52$(99,026.05)

    Randy Hekman[edit]

    Randy Hekman (2012) Campaign Finance Reports
    ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
    for Reporting Period    		ExpendituresCash on Hand
    April Quarterly[31]March 31, 2012$23,300.03$27,608.29$(44,051.20)$6,857.12
    July Quarterly[32]June 30, 2012$6,857.12$38,991.65$(33,731.49)$12,117.28
    Running totals
    $66,599.94$(77,782.69)

    Peter Hoekstra[edit]

    Pete Hoekstra (2012) Campaign Finance Reports
    ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
    for Reporting Period    		ExpendituresCash on Hand
    April Quarterly[33]March 31, 2012$1,518,861.52$702,724.59$(681,073.54)$1,540,512.57
    July Quarterly[34]June 30, 2012$1,540,512.57$735,255.71$(600,921.17)$1,674,847.11
    Running totals
    $1,437,980.3$(1,281,994.71)

    Election history[edit]

    2008[edit]

    On November 4, 2008, Carl Levin won re-election to the United States Senate. He defeated Jack Hoogendyk, Jr. (R), Scotty Boman (L), Harley G. Mikkelson (G), Michael N. Nikitin (U.S. Taxpayers Party) and Doug Dern (Natural Law) in the general election.[35]

    U.S. Senate General Election, Michigan, 2008
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngCarl Levin Incumbent 62.7% 3,038,386
         Republican Jack Hoogendyk, Jr. 33.8% 1,641,070
         Libertarian Scotty Boman 1.6% 76,347
         Green Harley G. Mikkelson 0.9% 43,440
         U.S. Taxpayers Party Michael N. Nikitin 0.6% 30,827
         Natural Law Doug Dern 0.4% 18,550
    Total Votes 4,848,620

    2006[edit]

    On November 7, 2006, Debbie Stabenow won re-election to the United States Senate. She defeated Michael Bouchard (R), Leonard Schwartz (L), David Sole (G), W. Dennis FitzSimons (U.S. Taxpayers Party) and Bret McAtee (Write-In) in the general election.[36]

    U.S. Senate General Election, Michigan, 2006
    Party Candidate Vote % Votes
         Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngDebbie Stabenow Incumbent 56.9% 2,151,278
         Republican Michael Bouchard 41.3% 1,559,597
         Libertarian Leonard Schwartz 0.7% 27,012
         Green David Sole 0.6% 23,890
         U.S. Taxpayers W. Dennis FitzSimons 0.5% 18,341
         Write-In Bret McAtee 0% 24
    Total Votes 3,780,142

    See also[edit]

    External links[edit]

    Footnotes[edit]

    1. ↑ ABC News, "2012 General Election Results," accessed November 6, 2012
    2. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2012 Registration Deadlines and Election Dates," accessed June 29, 2012
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 The Grand Rapids Press, "U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow beats Republican Pete Hoekstra by 10 points, says Dem-sponsored poll," accessed January 5, 2012
    4. ↑ Michigan Department of State, "Primary Candidate List," accessed May 17, 2012
    5. ↑ Chad Dewey campaign website, "My endorsement for the Michigan U.S. Senate race – Scotty Boman," accessed January 5, 2012
    6. ↑ Scotty Boman campaign website accessed January 5, 2012
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Central Michigan life, "CMU to host Republican U.S. Senate debate on Jan. 14," accessed January 5, 2012
    8. ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Candidate List," accessed July 6, 2012
    9. ↑ MLive.com, "U.S. Senate candidate might not make Michigan ballot" June 4, 2012
    10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Wall Street Journal, "Tough Challenge for GOP in Michigan" May 31, 2012
    11. ↑ The New York Times, "2012 Elections Senate Ratings," accessed September 17, 2012
    12. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Our Accuracy," accessed December 12, 2011 (dead link)
    13. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," November 1, 2012
    14. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," October 4, 2012
    15. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," September 13, 2012
    16. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," August 21, 2012
    17. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," July 12, 2012
    18. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," May 31, 2012
    19. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," May 10, 2012
    20. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," March 22, 2012
    21. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," March 1, 2012
    22. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," January 26, 2012
    23. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," December 27, 2011
    24. ↑ Cook Political Report, "2012 SENATE RACE RATINGS," December 1, 2011
    25. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Debbie Stabenow April Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    26. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Debbie Stabenow July Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    27. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Clark Durant April Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    28. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Clark Durant July Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    29. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Gary Glenn April Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    30. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Gary Glenn July Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    31. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Randy Hekman April Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    32. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Randy Hekman July Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    33. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Pete Hoekstra April Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    34. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Pete Hoekstra July Quarterly," accessed August 1, 2012
    35. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008"
    36. ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006"
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    Michigan's current delegation to the United States Congress
    Senators
    Gary Peters (D)
    Debbie Stabenow (D)
    Representatives
    District 1
    District 2
    District 3
    District 4
    District 5
    District 6
    District 7
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    Democratic Party (9)
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