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Posts Tagged ‘michigan’

MI: The importance of Supreme Court races
Written by admin
Wednesday, 1 September 2010 09:55

From the Michigan Messenger

Last week’s unexpected resignation by Justice Elizabeth Weaver, a Republican, and subsequent replacement by Justice Alton Thomas Davis, a Democrat, may not only reshape the Michigan Supreme Court, it could change the entire electoral map of the state for the next ten years.

Next year when the 2010 census data is released Michigan’s political boundaries will be redrawn by the legislature, and if they cannot agree on the redistricting map then the state Supreme Court will take up the matter. Because the shape of districts has an enormous effect on who can get elected, observers are already speculating on what last week’s abrupt resignation might mean for that process.

Bob LaBrant of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce told columnist Peter Luke that the change on the court “puts the Democrats in the driver’s seat as far as redistricting is concerned. (Weaver) would have been a question mark, but that question mark has been removed.”

The term that Davis was appointed to fill only runs through this year, but he has already been nominated for reelection by the Democrats, and he will have an advantage over others because he will be designated on the ballot as an incumbent.

But Richard McLelland is a Michigan State University professor of public relations and practicing attorney with expertise in government ethics, lobbying regulation and campaign finance issues, tells the Michigan Messenger that Granholm’s appointment of Davis was dirty dealing that may damage Davis’ candidacy this fall.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 09:55
MI: Fall elections impact to be felt for years
Written by admin
Wednesday, 1 September 2010 06:59

From the Daily Tribune

But 10 years ago in Michigan, Republicans controlled the state House, Senate and governor’s office, and they drew the current district boundaries to their liking with little risk of legal challenge to their map.

That’s not the case this year, when Democrats control the state House and governor’s office, and Republicans control the state Senate.

And that’s why state legislative races have gotten a lot of attention this year.

A split in control of the House and Senate means the courts likely will decide on a redistricting plan, as was the case 20 years ago, making election to the state’s courts an election priority this year, too.

In Michigan and across the country, the outcome of state legislative races could well determine the makeup of Congress in the 2012 election and beyond.

For certain, Michigan stands to lose one of its congressional seats this year, not because the state has lost so much in population over the past decade – it has lost a little – but because other states have grown so much faster.

“Michigan has lost population,” Patterson said. “When I started, there were 19 congressional seats, I think we’re going down now to 14.”

Control of the state Legislature could influence whether Michigan’s remaining congressional seats lean toward the Democrats or toward the Republicans.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 06:59
MI: Looking for that edge
Written by admin
Thursday, 5 August 2010 08:03

From the Detroit News

Earlier this month, Republican strategists committed to raising $40 million to sink into state legislative races around the country — including Michigan — in hopes of gaining majorities that will allow the GOP to redraw districts to their advantage.

Speaking at a roundtable for journalists earlier this month, Tom Reynolds, former chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and a former U.S. representative from New York, said Michigan was a “perfect example” of a state the GOP would like to target.

The GOP holds control of the state Senate, but will also be looking to take some of the 24 seats in the House occupied by Democrats that are being vacated or held by incumbents. The Republicans would need 13 of those seats to gain a House majority; if the party was to also take the governorship, it would be assured control of the redistricting process for 2012.

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Last Updated on Thursday, 5 August 2010 08:03
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