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Posted on Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 3:17 a.m.

Many Washtenaw County voters join the rest of Michigan in favoring Rick Snyder

By Kyle Feldscher

Washtenaw County is usually considered a Democratic Party hotbed in the state of Michigan.

But at least for one night, in at least one race, voters in the county changed course.

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Rick Snyder celebrates his victory Tuesday night.

With 175 of 176 precincts reporting early today, Republican candidate Rick Snyder had received 57,611 votes in Washtenaw County, and Democratic candidate Virg Bernero got 59,559 votes.

Snyder, an Ann Arbor venture capitalist who graduated from the University of Michigan, won the race with 59 percent of votes statewide to Bernero’s 39 percent.

The close race in Washtenaw County was vastly different than past gubernatorial elections. It marked the first time since John Engler was elected in 1994 and 1998 that a Republican was even competitive in the county.

According to county records, Gov. Jennifer Granholm carried the county with 68 percent of the vote in 2006 and 61 percent of the vote in 2002 in her victories against Dick DeVos and Dick Posthumus, respectively.

Voters seemed to take to Snyder’s “nerd” image and his promises to pursue bipartisan solutions to Michigan’s problems to heart.

"I'm voting for some change," said Molly Todd, a resident of Scio Township. "I voted for Rick even though I'm a Democrat. I'm ready to move forward. He's a businessman with fresh eyes, not a politician, and has good ideas."

However, at least one Washtenaw County official was surprised by Bernero's victory in the county.

Larry Kestenbaum, Washtenaw County Clerk and Register of Deeds, said it says a lot about Washtenaw County's political ideals that even a county native couldn't win Washtenaw County as a Republican.

"He ran well in Washtenaw County, winning the state by a wide margin … but it says something that Washtenaw County is Democratic enough that even Bernero couldn't manage to lose it," he said.

Kyle Feldscher covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com.

Comments

Frank Grzybek

Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 11:03 p.m.

What this article proves is that facts can be made to say whatever the author wishes. Mr. Snyder lost on his home court; yet, factually, he swayed a lot of normally Democratic voters. The article is factually correct while minimizing the aspect of losing at home. An article titled "Snyder loses on home turf" would be interpreted differently than this article although both are factual. Let's face it, Mr. Snyder bought a fine election. Isn't it sad that here, as in Florida, the candidate with the biggest wallet won? Just the facts.

Basic Bob

Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 3:38 p.m.

The story makes perfect sense to me. If it's 40 degrees outside and 100 degrees inside, that's hot. If it's ten degrees outside and 70 degrees inside, it's only warm. Snyder got more votes in 3 of the 5 cities, and 19 of the 20 townships. That qualifies as "many", even if it is a little less than half.

Tom Wieder

Thu, Nov 4, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.

@ Kyle Feldscher - You really don't see any problem with this story? First, there was the incredibly stupid - almost Fox News-like - headline: "Many Washtenaw County voters join the rest of Michigan in favoring Rick Snyder" Snyder lost the county! How can the headline be that he got "many" votes here and suggesting that the county joined the rest of the state? Yes, Snyder did much better than any recent GOP candidate, but he still lost Washtenaw. I could write you six different headlines that make more sense. "Snyder runs strong, but Washtenaw stays in Democratic column," "Bernero ekes out win in heavily Democratic Washtenaw, edging hometown Snyder" "Heavily Democratic Washtenaw barely bucks Snyder wave," "Hometown Snyder loses squeaker in usually Democratic Washtenaw." You get the idea. And the lede wasn't any better: "Washtenaw County is usually considered a Democratic Party hotbed in the state of Michigan. But at least for one night, in at least one race, voters in the county changed course." The county voted for the Democratic candidate and was 20% more Democratic than the rest of the state. How did the county "change course?" It still voted Democratic, albeit by a much smaller margin than usual, and maintained its status as far more Democratic than the rest of the state - a "hotbed."

Monica R-W

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:14 p.m.

@Michigan Face.... Think Fox News. Enough said.... The powers that be at A2.com will do nothing with your report. Heck, an editor from A2.com actually approved the "headline", with the contrasting information within the story, should be telling enough. Think Fox News. Time for another news resource for to compare and contrast in information for the public, in Washtenaw County area, IMHO.

Kyle Feldscher

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:38 p.m.

@michigan face - What exactly is your issue with the reporting? Everything in this story is a fact.

michigan face

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 5:34 p.m.

this type of reporting is exactly why I now refer to A2.com as FoxyAnnArbor.com. Fair and balanced???

leaguebus

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 11:08 a.m.

I see the governors job in Michigan like Sisyphus rolling the rock up the mountain for eternity. Whatever happens, you get crushed because it takes money to create jobs in Michigan and Michigan is flat broke, and after the promised big tax breaks for business, we will be flatter. I predict, the first thing that goes away is the movie industry subsidy. That subsidy has generated a ton of money for Ann Arbor businesses that nothing else could bring. Government has a large function in job creation. It provides money for research and development. Look at all the research money the US military has given DARPA and the results. Semiconductors, the Internet, GPS technology, and on and on. Thats jobs! Plus none of this happens overnight and costs are large. Mr Snyder certainly knows about the venture capital business, but the word capital does not mean tax cuts. Good Luck raising enough money to do the job.

Cash

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:55 a.m.

David, Pack your bags and get passport. His entities get sold off and go to China.

abair

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.

The majority of Washtenaw County voters did not vote for Rick Snyder. Say it like it is!

David

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.

Ok GovNerd. Get out your checkbook. This is how you rescued your failing entities in the past.

dakabk

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 7:52 a.m.

@Cash "Uh...it's his HOME county! You always win at home. He didn't" Right on, because Bernero took Ingham County (his home) by an absolute landslide.....of 386 votes. Looks like his home county was exactly enamored with his candidacy. The real point that the author of the article was trying to make is that Snyder's performance in his home county represents a huge shift from the last two elections when Granholm garnered 60-70% support in Washtenaw County. Any objective observer can see that. To try and spin it another way is just partisan rhetoric.

Ignatz

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:36 a.m.

Snyder seems like a nice enough guy, which may be a ruse. Time will tell on that one. I watched his "I won" speech. All I heard is more generalizations of what he plans to do. I can't wait to hear what the details are.

Dante Marcos

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:12 a.m.

Get ready for "One Tough Nerd" to remove costume and become "One Soft Friend of the Rich."

Cash

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:10 a.m.

@stan, Uh...it's his HOME county! You always win at home. He didn't. Corporate America won. Middle class lost. Soon we will begin seeing the impact of that!

stan

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 6:04 a.m.

Nice spin, libbies. The fact that Snyder kept it close in Washtenaw is a remarkable turn of events for any Republican. Voters statewide sent the message that they were tired of the 8 failed Granholm years. Monica, your statement that people will have voter's remorse in a year is silly at best. Michigan needed a new direction and hopefully Rick is the right guy for the job. Now, we need to focus on getting Obama out of office in two years.

Monica R-W

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:47 a.m.

@Cash, why do you think that A2News.com would approve an accurate headline like that when they were in the Snyder tank, from the day he announced? Your title is correct but, it was the the "proper spin" for A2News.com tonight.

Cash

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 4:23 a.m.

Shouldn't the headline read "Snyder lags behind Bernero in his home county"?

Monica R-W

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 3:42 a.m.

Washtenaw County seems as if it will be the ONLY region (besides possibly Detroit) that voted like they had the sense that God gave them tonight. Due to our County, Congressman John Dingell pulled out his race and in Rick Snyder (I will bring Michiganders together, like I did Gateway...LOL!..Gateway went BROKE) case, we saw the tea leaves in advance that other residents will probably see in less than one year of the "Snyder" Government. What is amazing to me is that we in Michigan have such a short memory. Back in 1992 I think, Gateway closed retail stores all over Southeastern Michigan and notified the employees with a sign on the door. I remember news stories of those employees being in shock that their "company" take this action, with any real notice, in advance. Well, in four years from now, the entire state of Michigan will feel like former Gateway employees. Seriously confused on what the heck happened...in 2010, a majority in our state elected the "nerd". Was Bernero the right guy to fix Michigan's problems? Maybe, or maybe not. Either way, 19+ percent of residents did not believe in Bernero's message. I do see in four short years a former Governor Blanchard de-lux happening (i.e.-one termed) to the soon-to-be Governor Snyder. At least Washtenaw County questioned the "nerd" ability to lead this great state out of our many problems, first. Good job Washtenaw County...we lost the battle but will probably win the war!