Michigan Primary Elections Boost Great Lakes, Environment

It's a good day for Michigan.

After a night that overturned the Republican Party establishment and rebuked some of the top Democratic leadership with dramatic losses, Michigan voters are watching the dust settle across a very new political landscape.

Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero --- the victors in their respective primaries and, not incidentally, the candidates which Michigan LCV chose to endorse --- are now preparing to square off in the November general election. Regardless of how that race turns out, however, the results are very simple to summarize:

Snyder won, Bernero won, Michigan won.

We endorsed these two candidates because we firmly believe they are the best their parties have to offer. They are the best allies that the entire environmental community, from green industrialists to sportsmen to the families along the Kalamazoo River evacuated due to the oil spill, could hope to have in the governor's mansion come next year. As a result, Michigan voters are in the unique and enviable position of having two good candidates to choose from.

Michigan LCV also is in a unique position. We have the ability to now have greater influence on the course of this race and be certain that environmental concerns remain front and center with our candidates.

Of course, an endorsement is not the same as a prediction. We do not choose candidates based on their chances of winning. We choose them based on their dedication to issues that are most important to Michigan's sustainable future.

In that respect, we endorsed a number of candidates on both sides of the ticket in very difficult races. I am proud to note that a lead sponsor of the constitutional amendment to ban drilling in the Great Lakes, Rebekah Warren, won her tough primary fight with Michigan LCV's active assistance and is now poised to take her expertise to the State Senate. Steve Bieda, the former State Representative responsible for making electric vehicles battery manufacturing a rapidly growing green industry in Michigan, was also endorsed by Michigan LCV in his primary race and is now on course to head to the Senate with Rebekah.

Unfortunately, our endorsed Republican candidates for the State House and Senate each lost their races to other candidates that we fear will only be another poor mark on next year's Scorecard. Still, we are proud of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder at the top of the ticket and will always continue looking to support other GOP members who are willing to stand with us to protect our Great Lakes and environment.

Michigan voters are fortunate to have good options in the race for governor, but we still need to keep both candidates focused on our issues. In the races where this primary election has narrowed down our choices to two very distinct options --- keep ignoring Michigan's imperiled environment or protect it and harness its economic potential for future generations --- Michigan LCV will continue to present voters with the information they need to make the right choice.

--- Ryan Werder, 

Political Director, Michigan LCV

P.S. Please consider a donation of $35, $50, or $100 to ensure we are able to back up our early endorsements with the ability to ensure the candidates stick to their commitments.

Image Credit: Discosour via Flickr.