Election Recap and Rallying Call

The dust is settling and the landscape isn’t pretty. Many conservation champions were defeated Tuesday night and, as a result, Michigan is facing a bleak outlook in terms of environmental protections and green job creation. But don’t start packing your bags and taking last wistful glances at the Great Lakes. There is hope.

Before we discuss that little glimmer, though, let’s review some of the outcomes. Our endorsement page provides a quick snapshot of how some of Michigan’s best environmental leaders fared. Overall, though, it was a triumphant night for Republicans. They took back the majority in the State House, earned a supermajority in the State Senate, won the US House, and captured the Michigan Governor’s Mansion.

For Michigan LCV, as a non-partisan organization, the night was painful in terms of the defeats suffered by so many good friends and allies. Mark Schauer’s loss is particularly difficult given his principled stand for climate protection and green job creation. The fact that he was overrun by a misleading, negative campaign by a Dirty Dozen member only makes it tougher to stomach. On the Supreme Court Bob “bottle our Great Lakes” Young was returned to the bench over a Northern Michigan Appellate Judge, Alton Thomas Davis, who understands that environmental laws exist to be enforced and not twisted into oblivion. Of course, conservation stalwarts like Dan Scripps, Sarah Roberts, and David LaGrand all experienced unfortunate defeats, as well.

Throughout all this mayhem, there is one lesson: when voters who care about these issues stay home, Michigan suffers. Before the election, the Secretary of State estimated a turnout of 3.8 million. Less than 3.3 million voted. In Kent County, where Grand Rapids was poised to elect a host of strong conservation candidates, turnout was down 12% from the last midterm election and down 24% from 2008. In Wayne County, the area in most need of environmental justice protection, only 39% of voters turned out to vote. 

From our perspective, there is nothing more discouraging than voter apathy. In fact, all of our passion and work on the issues we advocate each day is based on one bedrock belief: If voters are educated on these questions and engage in the democratic process, Michigan’s Great Lakes and natural resources win every time. For that reason, we will continue to produce the research, information, and political muscle that encourage that education and participation.

So, what was that hope we mentioned at the beginning of this article? It is the opportunity for common sense governance. Rick Snyder, the Governor-elect, has the future of this great state fully in his hands. As Virg Bernero said in his concession speech Tuesday night, Snyder can either govern in the model of Governor Milliken or Governor Engler. If Snyder chooses the Milliken option, as he consistently promised throughout the campaign, Michigan can hope for the resurrection of the Pure Michigan campaign, protection of our Great Lakes, and an expansion of clean energy entrepreneurship.The Engler option, however, will set our state back decades in terms of conservation priorities and green job creation.

Mr. Snyder, Michigan is looking to you to lead as you promised on the campaign trail. Michigan LCV is standing ready to work with you, as are millions of other Michiganders fatigued by negative campaigns and directionless anger fueled by a struggling economy.

Our greatest challenge over the next two years will be reminding the new members of the Legislature and the Congress that conservation, and the accompanying jobs, are not partisan issues. The false dichotomy of "jobs vs. environment" is symbolic of the polemical mudslinging that characterized the whole of this last election cycle. It must end now.

For many first-time legislators swept into Lansing on the back of unprecedented anonymous spending and an unsparing wave of voters’ recession-fueled fear, it is time to move from pithy slogans to actual governance. Our budget is in shambles and departments like the DNRE cannot afford further cuts. Republicans must lead with integrity and Democrats must play the part of the loyal opposition with strong policy alternatives rather than obstructionism.

Michiganders cannot fall into the trap of believing their work is done now that the election results are tallied. There is no hiding the fact that we have hard battles ahead of us. We must be ready.

And we are ready.

Join us in holding your legislators accountable as we fight for Michigan’s jobs, environment, and children. Together, we can prove that conservation goals are not a partisan issue but are, instead, a necessity for a proud quality of life and strong job growth.

That effort begins now.