Michigan Primary Elections Boost Great Lakes, Environment

It is a good day for Michigan.

After a night that overturned the Republican Party establishment and rebuked some of the top Democratic leadership with dramatic losses,Michigan voters are watching the dust settle across a very new political landscape. Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero - the victors in their respective primaries and, not incidentally, the candidates which Michigan LCV chose to endorse - are now preparing to square off in the general election. Regardless of how that race turns out, however, the results are very simple to summarize:

Snyder won, Bernero won, Michigan won.

We endorsed these two candidates because we firmly believe they are the best their parties have to offer. They are the best allies that the entire environmental community - from green industrialists to sportsmen to the families along the Kalamazoo River evacuated due to the oil spill - could hope to have in the Governor's mansion come November. As a result, Michigan voters are in the unique and enviable position of having two good candidates to choose from.

Michigan LCV is also in a unique position. Now, we have the ability to have greater influence on the course of this race and be certain that environmental concerns remain front and center with our candidates.But, we can't do it without your support. 

Please consider a gift of $35, $50, or $100 to help us ensure our early endorsement candidates stick to their commitments on our issues.

Of course, an endorsement is not the same as a prediction. We do not choose candidates based on their chances of winning, we choose them based on their quality and dedication to the issues that are most important to Michigan's sustainable future. In that respect, we endorsed a number of candidates on both sides of the ticket in very difficult races. 

I am proud to note that:

Our candidates won in an impressive 75 percent of the primary races we endorsed in.

Rebekah Warren (Senate District 18), a lead sponsor of the constitutional amendment to ban drilling in the Great Lakes, won her tough primary fight with Michigan LCV's active assistance and is now poised to take her expertise to the State Senate.

Steve Bieda (Senate District 9), the former State Representative responsible for making electric vehicle battery manufacturing a rapidly growing green industry in Michigan, was also endorsed by Michigan LCV in his primary race and is now on course to head to the Senate with Rebekah.

Unfortunately, our endorsed Republican candidates for the State House and Senate each lost their races to other candidates that we fear will only be another poor mark on next year's Scorecard.

Nonetheless, we are still proud of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder at the top of the ticket and we will always continue looking to support other candidates, regardless of party, who are willing to stand with us to protect our Great Lakes and environment.

Help us continue fighting in tough races for good candidates who will help Michigan build a clean energy economy and protect our Great Lakes and rivers from future oil spills by donating $35, $50, or $100.  With your support we will be able to reach voters in as many of the crucial districts across the state as possible.

Michigan voters are fortunate to have good options in the race for Governor, but we still need to keep both candidates focused on our issues. Not every race is so simple, though, and in the races where this primary election has narrowed down our choices to two very distinct options - keep ignoring Michigan's imperiled environment or protect it and harness its economic potential for future generations - Michigan LCV will continue to present voters with the information they need to make the right choice.