Snyder Wins Re-Election, Michigan Stays Red
At 11:45 p.m. Michigan officially received a fresh coat of Republican Red, courtesy of state voters.
Incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Snyder offered his acceptance speech just before midnight, after securing a resounding victory over Democratic opponent Mark Schauer by more than 100,000 votes.
During his acceptance speech, Snyder honed in on the idea that Michigan was inherently flawed but through perseverance, a new foundation for a better Michigan can be made for the future.
“We’re doing this to make a better Michigan today.” Snyder said. “We’re doing it for our kids. And we’re doing it for their kids and their kids’ kids. We’re doing it for the Michigan that we had before and we’re doing it even better.”
Economically, Snyder has been credited with improving Michigan’s “rainy day” fund, taking the numbers from nearly zero to over $500 million. Critics feel his cuts to school systems and increased privatization of education are not in the best interest of Michigan as a whole.
President of the College Republicans, Trino Schincariol, views Snyder’s win as a step toward an even brighter future for the state.
“(Under Snyder) Michigan will keep moving forward,” Schincariol said. “Unemployment will increase, more jobs will be offered, and education funding will be increased.”
Snyder made a point to focus intently on jobs and continual job creation in his speech.
“In the last four years, we have created more than 400,000 private sector jobs, new jobs,” he said. “(Michigan) ranks number five in the country in total jobs created.”
On the opposite side of the political spectrum, Sam McNerney, president of the College Democrats, took news of Snyder’s win with a mixture of concern and disappointment.
“I’m very afraid of what Michigan will look like in four years,” McNerney said. “Snyder has made very clear where his priorities lie. It’s not with the elderly or the students; it’s with special interest groups and the one percent.”
Also winning re-elections were State Sen. Judy Emmons, R-Greenville, keeping the 33rd senate District, and State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mt. Pleasant, reclaiming the 99th House District.
Since 2011, Emmons has served the 33rd District Senate seat which encompasses the Clare, Isabella, Gratiot, Mecosta and Montcalm Townships. Coming from a farming family who has a long history in Michigan, Emmons has done a good deal of work for the agricultural community, serving on the Michigan Farm Bureau Board of Directors and as a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau.
Spearheading education in the community and human-trafficking as two of her latest campaign interests, she brings back to the 33rd District a long history of service and leadership in the community.
CMU graduate Cotter was elected in November 2010 to serve the 99th House District. A Shepard native, he campaigned on keeping jobs within the state and fixing poor Michigan roads as a result of last winter. Cotter will be sworn into office Jan. 1, 2015 along with Emmons.
Republican Ruth Johnson also earned a second term as the Secretary of State, defeating Democratic challenger Godfrey Dillard.
Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette also earned re-election, defeating Democratic challenger Mark Totten.
As a conservative, when Michigan voters past the resolution allowing medical marijuana use, he challenged the implementation of the law. He also has been a strong opponent of recognizing same-sex marriage in Michigan.
