News & Information
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| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Andy Deloney |
November 3, 2010
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517/377-3931 |
2010 Election Results Point to Mandate for Change
Tuesday, November 2nd was a momentous night for the Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) and the State of Michigan.
In the most sweeping election results in a generation, Republican candidates routed their Democratic opponents all over the state, and have been handed the reins of power of all branches of state government. Republicans won every statewide executive branch office (Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State), the majority of the Michigan delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives, the majority in the Michigan Senate, the majority in the Michigan House of Representatives, and the Michigan Supreme Court. While a Republican victory was anticipated, most observers did not expect it would be as dominant and complete as it turned out to be.
The MRA issued 110 endorsements for candidates for elected office, including Governor, Supreme Court, Attorney General, U.S. House of Representatives, Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives. Of these 110 endorsed candidates, 102 of them – or 93 percent -- were successful in their election efforts Tuesday night. This gives the MRA great optimism and hope going forward that the government of the state of Michigan, and in Washington, DC, will be more responsive and supportive of Michigan’s job providers in general and the food and beverage service industry in particular.
Who Won?
Governor
Republican Rick Snyder easily won his election for Governor of Michigan over Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, earning about 60 percent of the vote. Mr. Snyder was the MRA-endorsed candidate. Republicans once again control the office of Governor with the departure of outgoing Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Attorney General
Republican Bill Schuette won the election for Attorney General with 53 percent of the vote over Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. Mr. Schuette was the MRA-endorsed candidate. Mr. Schuette keeps this office for the Republicans.
Secretary of State
Republican Ruth Johnson bested Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson, earning 51 percent of the vote to Benson’s 45 percent. Ms. Johnson’s win keeps the office of Secretary of State under Republican control.
Michigan Supreme Court
Republican incumbent Supreme Court Justice Robert Young, Jr. and fellow Republican candidate Mary Beth Kelly both won victories for the two seats that were up for election on the Michigan Supreme Court. Their victories give the majority on the Supreme Court back to Republicans, who will now have a 4-3 majority. Justice Young and Ms. Kelly were the MRA-endorsed candidates.
U.S. House of Representatives
Republicans will now have the majority of the Michigan delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Of Michigan’s 15 seats in the U.S. House, nine will be held by Republicans and six by Democrats. (Democrats currently control eight to the Republicans’ seven). In the Seventh District, U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) lost to his challenger, former U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton). Mr. Walberg was the MRA-endorsed candidate. In the First District, Republican doctor Dan Benishek defeated state Rep. Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard), making this seat a pick-up for the Republicans. Dr. Benishek was the MRA-endorsed candidate.
Michigan Senate
Going into election night, Republicans controlled 22 of the 38 seats in the Michigan Senate. In January, they will control 26, a veto-proof “supermajority” after picking up four Democratic seats that will be vacant due to term limits. Of the 27 candidates endorsed by the MRA, all but one was victorious Tuesday night.
Michigan House of Representatives
At the beginning of the 2009-2010 session Democrats controlled the Michigan House of Representatives with 67 of the 110 seats, to just 43 for the Republicans. The state House is where the Republicans pulled off their biggest victory, picking up a net 20 seats. They will open the 2011-2012 session with a 63-47 majority over the Democrats. Nine Democratic incumbents lost their re-election efforts, seven to Republican challengers who had been supported by the MRA.
The voters of Michigan handed the levers of power of state government to Republicans, who will control the debate over the issues to be tackled in the next two years, such as the state budget, the Michigan Business Tax, and re-districting.
Now that the 2010 election is over, the MRA remains hard at work both on closing out the 2009-2010 “lame duck” session with the current state Legislature and Governor, and on transitioning to the 2011-2012 session with the new state Legislature and the new Governor. Stay tuned for details on these efforts as they go forward.
For answers to your questions on the results of Election 2010 and the MRA’s efforts going forward, contact the MRA today at 800.968.9668.
The Michigan Restaurant Association (MRA) is the recognized leader of Michigan's hospitality industry, providing essential services to the foodservice community. Founded in 1921, the MRA represents more than 4,500 Michigan foodservice establishments. The industry plays an integral role in Michigan's economy, employing more than 423,600 people and creating more than $13.1 billion in annual sales. For more information please call 800-968-9668.
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