Ann Arbor Democrats gear up to fight for their party's gubernatorial candidate on Rick Snyder's home turf
Ann Arbor resident and longtime Democrat Pat Rinvelt had never voted for a Republican - not until local venture capitalist Rick Snyder appeared on the GOP primary Tuesday.
“What Rick was talking about in terms of focusing on jobs and reinventing our state, it really spoke to me,” Rinvelt said, calling Snyder “pragmatic and “execution-oriented. “It seems like he’s somebody who could get the job done.”
Washtenaw Democrats will be campaigning for Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero.
The Associated Press
Rinvelt said Snyder has her vote Nov. 2.
If Tuesday’s primary election results are any indication, many voters across the state could cross party lines in November to vote for the self-branded “tough nerd.”
Almost double the number of voters cast GOP ballots in left-leaning Washtenaw County in Tuesday's primary than in 2006.
On Snyder’s home turf, Washtenaw County Democratic Party organizers know they need to ramp up their efforts to keep a Democrat in the state’s top office. It’s expected to be a hard fought battle as Snyder and Democrat Virg Bernero, the mayor of Lansing, go head-to-head in November to replace Gov. Jennifer Granholm.
Stuart Dowty, chair of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, acknowledged Snyder’s hometown advantage could be a challenge. But he said the county’s solid Democratic standing would come in handy in November.
“We have our work cut out for us,” he said. “And we’re going to do it.”
U.S. Congressman John Dingell, D-Dearborn, is planning a “unity breakfast” on Saturday to rally Democrats around Bernero and others.
Dowty said it’s a Dingell tradition.
Washtenaw County is Rick Snyder's home turf.
The Associated Press
“The idea is, the primaries are now over, so we are going to unite around our candidates for November, and we will all work together.”
Doug Kelley, a vice chair of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party, said he suspects some Democrats voted for the more modest Snyder to eliminate conservative Republican primary candidates U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra and Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox from the picture.
That was the case for Ann Arbor resident David Fry, an entrepreneur and “pretty consistent Democrat.” Snyder’s avoidance of hot button social issues like abortion helped Fry make his decision to vote on the Republican ticket Tuesday, he said.
“It was a little bit about voting against them,” he said.
But he had other motivations, too.
Fry said he'd like to make it easier for the companies he starts to hire young University of Michigan graduates. But he won’t “seal the deal” on voting for Snyder in November until he gets specifics on the candidate's business development plans for the state.
Arbor Brewing Co. owner Rene Greff, a staunch Democrat, has never voted Republican. But she might in November.
“There have been a lot of really and a few appalled people in our circle of friends,” Greff said with a laugh.
Democrat Renee Greff is considering voting for Rick Snyder.
While Bernero captured Greff’s vote Tuesday, she said she’s leaning toward Snyder in November for a number of reasons - from his status as a trusted local to his “thoughtful approach to leadership.”
Greff and her husband Matt also own Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery. On Tuesday night, the pubs hosted victory parties for Democratic nominees in two hotly contested state legislative races, as well as for Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber, a Democrat who will be unopposed in November.
The Greffs, along with other local business owners and friends, have been involved in a bi-partisan effort to help Snyder’s campaign. With Snyder's promise of economic recovery and a new future for the state, she said they've found common ground.
“I think we’ll see the biggest crossover in the general election that Michigan has ever seen,” she said.
Juliana Keeping is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
djm12652
Fri, Aug 6, 2010 : 3:45 p.m.
I don't get all of the remarks regarding "social" issues. Pro-Life, Pro-Choice...doesn't matter. The law is the law...the real issue is bringing back Michigan's economy...@mickey2u....Senate Republicans did not vote down extensions...my understanding was that if the extension funding could be explained, they would vote for it, and to my recollection, they did. My question is how will they [each candidate] bring back our economy without taxing the crap out of us working stiffs? I've read the Snyder point plan, but have not seen anything from Mayor Benero.
Mikey2u
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 8:11 p.m.
Michigans voters watched Corporate CEOs (such as Mr. Snyder) ship manufacturing jobs overseas for the past two decades. Michigan voters watched the collapse of the Banking Industry as it pulled down the Automotive Industry which crushed Michigans economy, and they saw this happen during the Bush presidency. Michigan voters watched the Republicans in congress vote against bailouts for GM and Chrysler. 69,500 unemployed Michigan voters recently watched the Senate Republicans vote against the extension of their unemployment benefits. Virg Bernero is going to win the election in November.
Benjamin
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
That's what I'm talking about! Andy may have been a better legislator, but we can't compromise any more on what it means to be an American worker. Where does it end? Do the workers have to work for a buck an hour? That was rhetorical -- the answer is a NO!!!
E. Manuel Goldstein
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
Go Bernero! I was very impressed with the way Bernero "owned" Fox News reporters during interviews in late 2008 while discussing the US auto company bailouts. These can be found on-line easily, and may inspire those wavering Democrats as to who will be the fighter for the working people of this state. Bernero succeeded in getting the idea across that the auto companies (and more importantly, the JOBS) should stay in his community. The last "pro-business" Republican Governor dug the state into such a deep economic hole that its been nearly impossible to dig out of. Just because Rick Snyder is a businessman does not give him the qualifications to govern effectively.
Benjamin
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 10:59 a.m.
@inside well not really. I have friends on both camps, so I have a pretty good idea what it means to be a centrist progressive (which is not liberalism btw, as the Fascist Glenn Beck would have you believe.) @Jeremy's right on. and perhaps now is the climate to flush out all the right-wing BS on the issue :P Go Courts!!
genericreg
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 10:39 a.m.
Has there been a voting 'news' story that Snyder was not in the headline for?
Jeremy
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 10:39 a.m.
@Jeremy Peters I will not evaluate a candidate based on gay marriage when the issues was recently decided by a majority of people in Michigan and is now defined in the state constitution. To position Snyder's stance on gay marriage, whatever it is, against him is kinda confusing. His stance on the issue is almost as irrelevant as his plans for the dark side of the moon. It appears from todays news that federal courts will decided the legality of state laws against gay marriage. Given Snyder is up for for Governor of Michigan and not up for an appointment to be a federal judge; only exaggerates the completeness of this issues irrelevance in Michigan politics.
Benjamin
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 10:13 a.m.
@InsideTheHall get over yourself. there's no such thing as "liberal elitists". That's an oximoron. :P I agree abortion or homosexual rights should not be politicized. That's all the centrists and the left want to do is take that off the agenda, but self-RIGHTEOUS keep pushing, since apparently they know GOD'S way better then the rest of us :P
bedrog
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 10:11 a.m.
This seems like a win-win race for sensible, non extremists in both parties ( and both have them, although they're becoming an endangered species in the one that begins with 'r'). although i'm voting dem, i won't lose sleep over a snyder win as long as he doesn't, in the interest of courting right- wing votes, start in with the usual FOXy, palin-esque, tea party nonsense and rhetoric.
Jeremy
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 9:52 a.m.
I think it is sad that Matt and Rene Greff would consider voting for a candidate who is opposed to allowing gay marriage -- and indeed, I think some of their staff would agree as well.
Greggy_D
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
"I'm still supporting Bernero because of his pro choice and pro working class stances" Why is pro-choice/abortion even an issue or deciding factor in a Gubernatorial race? The Right to Choose will never, ever be addressed at the state level let alone by any Governor of Michigan. It's a moot issue.
InsideTheHall
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 9:30 a.m.
Bernaro will wear thin with Ann Arbor liberal elitists. They will deem it is cool to vote intellect over brawn and it shall be.
gibby76
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
Nah, Alan, I don't get the Greff's at all. Snyder is ok only because he's not a BAD republican choice. I don't think Bernero is "old Michigan", in fact he's got alot more charisma I felt as opposed to Andy, aside from the fact that Andy was a "nice guy". I'm done being nice. how the Right beat down Granholm the last years and tried to implicate her in the failure of the budget, well I'm sorry I'm done. Time to unleash Virg at the Nerd :P
gibby76
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 9:09 a.m.
"left-leaning Washtenaw County"? that's a bunch of poo doo. WC is at least as split as the rest of the state. We just need to do something with the Right-to-Life reactionaries who I hope got their wings clipped with the Cox and Hoekstra losses :P
lumberg48108
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.
Folks - unless the economy rebounds big time in the next three months there is no way a Democrat wins this election... it could be JKK or LBJ but people vote out the party in power when things are bad... Local dems should get on board now and support Rick - cause in January he will be in Lansing - not Ann Arbor!
xmo
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
As someone who nevers for votes for Democrats (TAX & SPEND), I am worried about Synder becoming too moderate. I do not want two Democrats running for Governor. One wimpy and the other the crazy guy from Lansing!
Top Cat
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 7:55 a.m.
Bernero is definitely "Old Michigan". Hopefully Snyder is "New Michigan." Snyder should win comfortably.
Stephen Landes
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 7:37 a.m.
The best source for information about what Rick Snyder believes and will bring to Michigan government is the campaign website: http://www.rickformichigan.com/. You can read Rick's vision statement, principles and values, road map for reinventing Michigan, and in-depth white papers on key issues.
A2K
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 7:19 a.m.
My husband and I both voted for Snyder in the primary...1st time voting Republican for the both of us. We can't wait to see Mr. Snyder's ideas fleshed out during the campaign...I hope the locals keep things civil, we're so sick and tired of childish tactics and 1/2 truths in campaigns.
Cash
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 7:03 a.m.
And now....Ann Arbor.com has to take on two roles: 1. Chamber of Commerce for the City of Ann Arbor 2. Snyder's campaign committee At least number 2 will end in November.
Wolverine3660
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 6:59 a.m.
@ a2since73: Rick Snyder has his main office on Washinhton street, same the same block as the Arbor Brewing Co., a couple of doors up towards Fifth Ave. and of Ms Greff is thinking about voting for Mr Snyder, looks like the Democratic nominee Mr Bernero has an uphill battle on his hands.
a2since73
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 6:25 a.m.
As a lifelong Democrat, I would have to think long and hard before I voted for Snyder. It is tempting though. He seems to embody traits that are sorely lacking right now in both political parties, and in the Democratic Party at the local level. Rene, where can I learn more about him?
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 5:53 a.m.
As an independent voter who tends to lean democratic I will say Bernero has a long way to go to convince me he is the "lesser of two evils" for the job. I will add from the several interviews I have heard in the last day, out of the gate he is headed in the wrong direction.