Michigan Governor's Race

CQ Politics Race Rating: Tossup

Incumbent — Jennifer M. Granholm (D); Term limited; cannot run again

Michigan, financially dependent on the staggering auto industry, has been hit harder and longer by the nation’s economic downturn than any other state. So weighty problems await whoever succeeds Democrat Granholm, whose job approval ratings have suffered.

There is no shortage of potential candidates in both parties who think they may be up to the job. Republican Rep. Peter Hoekstra announced in March that he would run for the seat, and state Attorney General Mike Cox confirmed his expected candidacy in late May. They were joined in June by Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, who was the GOP’s challenger to Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2006. Then Timothy Rujan, a former Huron County commissioner, and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder confirmed their bids in July.

Another likely Republican candidate is state Sen. Tom George. Domino’s Pizza CEO David Brandon has also expressed interest.

But three major Republican figures already have taken themselves out of consideration for 2010: Dick DeVos, the super-wealthy businessman who challenged Granholm in 2006 but lost by 14 points; longtime Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, a well-known figure in the Detroit area; and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who withdrew in June and endorsed Bouchard.

One potentially strong candidate on the Democratic side, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, decided not to run for governor. That has made Lt. Gov. John Cherry the clear front-runner for the Democratic nomination at this early point in the campaign cycle.

But several other Democrats have declared or are considering the race, including Flint Mayor Don Williamson, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, state House Speaker Andy Dillon, state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, and George Perles, a Michigan State University trustee who is the school’s former head football coach and athletic director.

Race Information

• Incumbent: Jennifer M. Granholm, D
• First Elected: 2002 (2nd term)
• Incumbent Status: Term limited; cannot run again
• CQ Politics Race Rating: Tossup

State Information

• U.S. Senate Delegation: 2 Democrats
• U.S. House Delegation: 8 Democrats, 7 Republicans

Senators

Carl Levin, D

First Elected: 1978 (6th term)

Last Elected: 2008 (62.66%)

Debbie Stabenow, D

First Elected: 2000 (2nd term)

Last Elected: 2006 (57.04%)

State Offices

State House Control: Democratic

State Senate Control: Republican