Michigan Political Week in Review

Tuesday’s primary elections brought some interesting twists to Michigan’s political landscape.

The Kilpatrick name proved political poison in the 13th Congressional District, where State Senator Hansen Clarke defeated seven-term Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick. Former U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg will challenge current U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer to a rematch for the 7th District Congressional seat, which Schauer defeated Walberg to win in 2008. And low voter turnout resulted in two races being decided by a one-point margin.

Michigan LCV celebrated victory with several of our endorsed candidates, including both the candidates we endorsed in the gubernatorial primaries.

The first post-primary polling results show Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder with a substantial lead over Democrat Virg Bernero. The Rasmussen poll shows Snyder winning 49% of the vote, and Bernero with 37% of the vote. But it’s a long way until November.

Visit the Michigan Secretary of State website to see all of Tuesday’s primary election results.

The Oil Spill

Cleanup continues on the Kalamazoo River, following the July 26 oil spill. Enbridge Inc, the company responsible for the spill, is finalizing plans to buy two homes affected by the spill. The company has offered to buy as many as 200 houses in the affected area.

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm was in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, to speak at the one-year anniversary celebration of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's $1.3 billion investment in Michigan’s advanced battery industry. Her comments focused on the importance of growing and investing in Michigan’s clean energy economy.

--- Photos via Snyder, Bernero campaigns.