Republican Rick Snyder wasn't taking his lead in polls over Democrat Virg Bernero for granted Sunday as the two men separately traveled Michigan in the late stages of the campaign to become the state's next governor.

"We'll just keep working hard," Snyder said at Burke's Waterfront Restaurant in northern Michigan. "We're staying on the gas through Nov. 2 because it's the right thing to do. ... It's going well, but let's keep going."

Bernero, campaigning in Detroit, brushed aside talk of polls that show him trailing Snyder during a stop at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.

"The pollsters and pundits have weighed in," Bernero said. "Now it's time for the voters to weigh in."

At another stop, Bernero said Snyder might be "measuring the curtains in the governor's mansion," but the last he checked "we don't have coronations in Michigan. We have elections."

Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder addresses supporters during a campaign rally at Robinettes Apple Orchard on Sunday.

Mark Copier | The Grand Rapids Press

An EPIC-MRA poll released Thursday showed Snyder leading Bernero 55 percent to 37 percent, with 4 percent backing one of three third-party candidates in the race and 4 percent undecided. The survey of 600 likely voters statewide had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. It was commissioned by the Detroit Free Press and TV stations WXYZ, WJRT, WOOD and WILX and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Republicans are expecting to do well across much of the nation in Tuesday's elections. Democratic candidates face a combination of disenchantment with the economy, disappointment in Democratic President Barack Obama and Gov. Jennifer Granholm and some anger at government reflected in the tea party movement.

Jim Stockbridge, a Farmington Hills resident who was traveling in northern Michigan on Sunday, was surprised to see Snyder stroll into a Cadillac restaurant around noon.

"I've got your sign in my yard," Stockbridge said as he met Snyder, an Ann Arbor businessman and former Gateway computer executive. Stockbridge isn't happy with the results of the bank bailout or the federal stimulus package and he plans to vote Republican this election.

In addition to polling, Snyder has the edge in fundraising over Bernero as Tuesday's election approaches.

Snyder campaigned in Traverse City earlier Sunday and stopped later in Big Rapids and Grand Rapids. He traveled in his blue, green and white "Nerdmobile" bus — tying into his "One Tough Nerd" campaign theme.

Bernero was focusing on voter-rich southeast Michigan.

During a Sunday morning service in Detroit, Bernero was introduced by a woman he believed to be the wife of Third New Hope Baptist Church pastor E.L. Branch.

"I'd like to thank first lady Branch," Bernero said to snickers and head-shaking from the congregation.

When informed of his gaffe, the candidate smiled uneasily and made a beeline for Mrs. Branch, whom he hugged.

When he returned to the podium, Bernero said: "The Lord is a forgiving Lord" and was greeted with dozens of "Amens" from the churchgoers.

"Praise God your first lady is forgiving," Bernero then said to applause and laughter.

Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero, left, shakes hands with Julius Jefferson as he makes his way up the aisle at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Sunday.

Brandy Baker | The Associated Press

Michigan's candidates for the U.S. House, secretary of state, attorney general and the state Legislature are among those also campaigning this weekend in a final push for votes.

Democrat Mark Schauer stopped in Ann Arbor on Sunday afternoon to say a few words to a group of Sierra Club members who were going out to canvass on behalf of his congressional re-election campaign.

"Let's work until 8 p.m. on Tuesday," Schauer said, referencing the time polls close in the state.

The first-term congressman from Battle Creek is facing a stiff challenge from Republican Tim Walberg of Tipton, a former state lawmaker and pastor who himself was a freshman in the U.S. House when Schauer bounced him from office two years ago.

Schauer's schedule includes precious few breaks over the next 48 hours. "I'll get rest starting on Wednesday," he said, smiling.

But, he did plan to take his 3-year-old grandson trick-or-treating Sunday night in Kalamazoo.

Walberg didn't have formal public campaign appearances scheduled Sunday, but he did have volunteers working in the district. Walberg reached out to voters individually, including through e-mails and phone calls, campaign spokesman Joe Wicks said.

"He'll travel throughout the district (Monday)," Wicks said.

Leslie Desmond, a 65-year-old retiree from Washtenaw County's Scio Township, also was in the Halloween spirit on Sunday, dressing up in a witch's hat and cape to hear Schauer's talk.

Desmond, who has supported candidates of both parties in the past, said she'd be voting for Bernero.

Snyder, she said, "is very nondescript. He doesn't talk about issues. I don't know what he stands for."

Bill Schuette, the Republican candidate for attorney general, and Ruth Johnson, the GOP candidate for secretary of state, stopped with Snyder in Cadillac. They are running against Democratic attorney general candidate David Leyton and secretary of state candidate Jocelyn Benson.