March 3, 2011 - 5:09pm
Snyder, Bernero win Michigan gubernatorial primaries, Hieftje declares victory
BY ESHWAR THIRUNAVUKKARASU
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder and Democratic candidate Virgil Bernero won Tuesday’s primary election and will look to succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm in the general election on Nov. 2.
Seven men in total contested the election, consisting of five Republicans — Mike Bouchard, Mike Cox, Tom George, Pete Hoekstra and Snyder — and Democratic candidates Bernero and Andy Dillon.
With votes counted from the 143 precincts of Washtenaw County, Snyder led the Republican field with 12,824 votes over nearest competitor Pete Hoekstra at 5,117 votes, according to the county clerk's office. Dillon, who conceded the race to Bernero, trailed with 9,249 votes to Bernero's 17,741 votes.
“For people that believe our government works well and that the political system works well, they should vote for the other candidate,” Snyder said before his supporters, according to the Associated Press. “For people who believe our government is broken, our political system is broken, it's time for catalysts. I want to represent you, someone from the real world.”
Bernero addressed his supporters at a Detroit hotel, saying “the Michigan we grew up in, the Michigan that was at the top, is the Michigan that we’re ready to fight for today.”
After a heated race marked by disagreements and personal accusations, the Democratic primary for mayor of Ann Arbor resulted in a victory for incumbent John Hieftje, who gained 10,058 votes in Washtenaw County — nearly 8,200 more votes than his opponent, political blogger Patricia Lesko.
No Republican candidates contested the mayoral primary.
Having run uncontested in the Democratic primary, current Congressman John Dingell (D–Ann Arbor) secured his place to vie for a 29th term as representative of Michigan’s 15th congressional district, which holds Ann Arbor. Dingell will face Republican winner Rob Steele, who garnered 9,249 votes across the Washtenaw precincts.
In addition to the congressional races contested, all of Michigan’s state legislature seats were up for vote in the primary.
Last week, Secretary of State Terri Land projected a turnout of about 1.7 million — or 24 percent — of Michigan’s registered voters. However, several reports at county polls, which closed today at 8 p.m., suggested low voter turnout. Of the more than 261,000 registered voters in Washtenaw County, a little over 55,500 ballots were cast on Tuesday, according to the county clerk's office.
