Michigan Political Week in Review

July 20th was a big day for endorsements at Michigan LCV, as we announced our preferred candidates in the governor’s race. In the Aug. 3 Democratic primary, we endorsed Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. And for the first time in our organization’s history, we endorsed in the Republican primary, for businessman Rick Snyder. We firmly believe that these two candidates are the best candidates in their fields and we would be lucky to see them both on the ballot in November.

Part of our decision to endorse Snyder and Bernero came from extensive research that appears in our gubernatorial comparison chart.

If you have not checked out this tool, you should. It is a handy chart that describes all seven candidates’ positions on a variety of environmental topics. We researched what the candidates said, did, and plan to do on issues like clean energy, job creation, offshore wind, funding for environmental agencies, and of course, Asian carp. Look at our chart to see where the candidates stand on these and 17 other important environmental issues before you cast your vote on Aug. 3.

Race for Governor Polls:

Polls released shortly after our endorsements for Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero show positive news for both of the candidates.

Just several hours after our endorsement announcement for Virg Bernero, a Detroit News article published a poll showing that Bernero is gaining on his opponent, House Speaker Andy Dillon. The percentage of voters who would vote for Bernero went up to 25.1%, with Dillon at 34.1%. Forty percent of voters were still undecided, leaving the Democratic primary race far from over.

Another Detroit News poll shows positive news for our Republican gubernatorial endorsement, Rick Snyder. The Detroit News calls the Republican primary a “three-way race” between Snyder, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, and Attorney General Mike Cox.

Washtenaw Area Endorsements:

Last week we endorsed three more candidates we think you should take a look at.

--- Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje. Mayor Hieftje has been a constant champion in the effort to make Ann Arbor a pioneer in municipal conservation and he is our first municipal-level endorsement of this election.

--- Rebekah Warren for Senate District 18.

--- Ned Staebler for House District 53.

Keep up with all of our endorsements on our endorsements page.