Michigan State Senate 2018 Preview (Updated 10-28-18 after fundraising reports)

Michigan State Senate 2018 Preview – UPDATED 4-25-2018 post filing deadline with candidate list

The official Michigan State Senate Map is Here – http://www.senate.michigan.gov/2011_maps/Statewide.pdf

In Michigan, the state senate is up in gubernatorial years. All 38 seats are up, as are all 100 state house seats which are 2 year terms. I have a list of the districts (with only brief mentions of the Detroit seats because those are beyond safe for the D’s. I listed the Trump, Snyder (2014), Romney, Obama 08 based on Dave’s redistricting, and the DeVos 2006 numbers to show both good and bad results in the district. In 2006 we kept the State Senate under the old borders by a razor thin margin. 2006 and 2008 are worst case scenarios. If we have a 2006 type year, it will be a disaster across the state, and we could potentially lose 24 districts in a worst case scenario.

Currently R’s are likely maxed out with a 29-11 advantage.  They unexpectedly picked up a seat in 2014 (redistricted open seat Kalamazoo County seat – Seat 20) that replaced a seat that was eliminated due to population shifts.

I have rated the seats (so far) as follows. I don’t rate anything as “likely.” I have Safe, lean, or tossup. 20 seats control the senate.

11 – Safe D – Seats 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 , 11, 18, 23, 27 – Basically Detroit, Wayne County Airport area, South Macomb, SE Oakland, Flint, Ann Arbor, Lansing/East Lansing.

2 – Lean D – 20, 29 – Districts near Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids

4 – Tossup – 10, 13, 34, 38 (dropped 17 and 32)

7 – Lean R – 7, 12, 15, 17, 24, 31, 32 (added 17 and 32)

14 – Safe R – 8, 14, 16, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26, 28, 30, 33, 35, 36, 37,

UPDATED 10-28 – MIRS posted campaign finance database here  -https://mirsnews.com/images/Oct._26%2C_2018_Senate_Campaign_Finance_Reports_-_Sheet1.pdf

SD-1 – Safe D (70%) – Covers part of Brownstown Twp and  Detroit, all of Ecorse, Gibralter, Grosse Ile Twp, River Rouge, Riverview, Trenton, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte. While Detroit Dems usually struggle in the downriver portion, 50% of the vote is in Detroit.

Candidates:

R – Pauline Montie (Trenton)

D – Stephanie Chang (Detroit.)

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-2 – Safe D (75%) – Covers part of Detroit, Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, and Highland Park. About 50% of the vote is in Detroit or Highland Park.

Candidates:

R – Lisa Papas (Grosse Pointe Farms)

D – Adam Hollier (Detroit)

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-3 – Safe D (80%) – Covers part of Detroit, all of Dearborn, and Melvindale. About 60% of the vote is in Detroit.

Candidates:

R – Kathy Steckler (Dearborn)

D –  Sylvia Santana (Detroit)

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-4 – Safe D (83%) – Covers part of Detroit, all of Allen Park, Lincoln Park, and Southgate.  About 65% of the vote is in Detroit.

Candidates:

R – Angela Savino (Southgate)

D – Marshall Bullock (Detroit)

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-5 – Safe D (80%) – Covers part of Detroit, all of Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, and Redford Township. About 53% of the district is either Detroit or Inkster. We do have a candidate out working this district much harder than normal for 2018 in Deshawn Wilkins. It’ll be interesting to see what he can do in this extremely difficult district. This Detroit based district also has a white representative.

Candidates:

R – DeShawn Wilkins (Detroit)

D – Betty Jean Alexander (Detroit)

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

Update – The favored Democrat here with all the money lost in the primary. The white guy lost!

SD-6 – Safe D (62% Hopgood in2014)

Candidates

R – Brenda Jones (Taylor)

D – Erika Geiss (Taylor)

2010 Demographics – 72.8% White, 17.9% Black, 64.5% Obama 08

Covers Belleville, most of Brownstown Twp (minus precinct 6/7), Flat Rock, Huron Twp, Rockwood, Romulus, Sumpter Twp, Taylor, Van Buren Twp, Westland.

2016 – Trump 42.21%, Hillary 53.16% – Lost by 13,300

2014 – Snyder 40.31%, Schauer 57.32% – Lost by 12,500

2012 – Romney 34.78%, Obama 64.31% – Lost by 33,600

2006 – DeVos 35.72%, Granholm 62.74% – Lost by 22,000

While Trump made good inroads here and did well for an R (His 12000 vote improvement over Romney was the difference in the state), demographics changes make winning this district extremely difficult. Van Buren Twp and Romulus might be majority minority by this point and anchor this seat. Westland, Taylor, and Belleville also have a sizable black population and many of the union members in those three cities are government workers with Metro Airport in Romulus. There’s also a very strong union democrat tradition in all of this district. Only Huron Twp is R leaning, and the union influence is there as well.

If the resources are there, I’d like to see a Trumpist candidate make a serious contest for this seat. I don’t expect to win it, but if redistricting starts shifting, I can see a potential competitive downriver district in the future that is could be lean D or even tossup.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-7 – Lean R (52.74% Colbeck in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Laura Cox (Livonia)

D – Dayna Polehanki (Livonia)

2010 Demographics – 81.6% White, 6.3% Black, 7.3% Asian. 51.9% Obama 08

Covers Canton Twp, Livonia, Part of Northville, Northville Twp, Plymouth, Plymouth Twp, and Wayne.

2016 – Trump 46.53%, Hillary 48.35% – Lost by 2700

2014 – Snyder 59.44%, Schauer 38.96% – Won by 21,300

2012 – Romney 49.58%, Obama 49.66% – Lost by 116

2006 – DeVos 46.91%, Granholm 51.80% – Lost by 5500

Whether this is tossup or lean R depends on matchups. If Laura Cox is the nominee for the R’s, I’ll go lean R because she can get the margins out of Livonia to win, while at the same time be acceptable to most factions in Plymouth/Northville. Canton and Plymouth City will be big problems. They are treading away from us. Wayne is and was solid democrat as well. Trump was a disaster in Plymouth/Northville/Canton, but improved in Wayne and held his own in Livonia (won by 4000). Romney was a disaster in Canton, but won Livonia by 2000. R’s usually do better than the top of the ticket in Canton and (if a local) Livonia. Livonia’s the biggest key to this district. It’s usually light R leaning. Plymouth and Northville townships are also key and usually base areas, but Granholm won Plymouth Township in 2006 (her home).

Update – Gongwer Rating – Tossup (10-12-2018)

Updated Analysis – D’s have a good candidate here, but Laura Cox is a strong nominee, IMO stronger than the R incumbent Patrick Colbeck from a fundraising standpoint. Canton will be trouble, but I can’t see Laura struggling in Livonia no matter how the top of the ticket does. With straight ticket gone, I expect reduced losses in eastern Canton and Wayne as well.

UPDATED 10-12 – Gongwer moved this to tossup, but I still think it is lean R because of candidate quality.

Updated 10-28 – D’s are going for it. Laura Cox has a big fundraising edge, but once you get to $200K+, you’re definitely in to win. I still am betting on Laura Cox’s Livonia strength to carry her through along with her stopping bleeding in the Plymouth/Northville township base areas. Canton is going to be a big problem, but I think candidate quality saves the day. Lean R. Barely.

SD-8 – Safe R (61.73% Brandenburg in 2014)

Candidates:

R –  Peter Lucido (Shelby Twp)

D – Paul Francis (St Clair Shores)

2010 Demographics – 88.4% White (includes Chaldean), 5.4% Black, 49.2% McCain 08

Covers Bruce, Chesterfield, Macomb portion of GP Shores, Harrison Twp, Lenox Twp, Mt Clemens, Ray Twp, Shelby Twp, St Clair Shores, Utica, and Washington Twp.

2016 – Trump 59.61%, Hillary 35.90% – Won by 34,500

2014 – Snyder 59.57%, Schauer 38.36% – Won by 22,900

2012 – Romney 53.40%, Obama 45.54% – Won by 11,900

2006 – DeVos 50.41%, Granholm 48.02% – Won by 2,400

 

I like to say that nothing is safe in Macomb County, but if anything is close to safe there, it is this district. Shelby Township is the largest municipality and is a base GOP township. St Clair Shores is swingish tilting D  and the 2nd largest municipality. Bruce, Washington, and Ray townships are also GOP base. Chesterfield and Harrison are usually light red as is Utica although occasionally goes big for us. The D base is Mt Clemens (always) and to a lesser extent swingish Lenox Twp and St Clair Shores.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-9 – Safe D (67.96% Bieda in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Jeff Bonnell (Roseville)

D –  Paul Wojno (Warren)

2010 Demographics (approx) – 76.9% White, 15.1% Black, 61% Obama 08

Covers Center Line, part of Clinton Twp, Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville, and Warren.

2016 – Trump 42.25%, Hillary 53.35% – Lost by 13,600

2014 – Snyder 42.94%, Schauer 54.61% – Lost by 8900

2012 – Romney 36.26%, Obama 62.60% – Lost by 31,800

2006 – DeVos 38.33%, Granholm 59.90% (not count Clinton Twp which reprecincted) – Lost by over 20,000

This was a union Democrat vote sink to try and get 2 seats winnable for R’s in Macomb County. Most Gerrymandering claims are BS in Michigan, but splitting swingish/regional Clinton Township by putting the most D part in this seat made some angry D’s in Macomb. Trump made some good inroads here running 8000 votes ahead of Romney.  Like the 6th, I’d like to see some serious contest here if the resources are available, more for 2020+ redistricting prep than anything else. Eastpointe (70%D), South Warren, and SE Clinton Twp makes this seat a bridge to far I think.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-10 – Tossup (62.66% Rocca in 2014) (Tilt R Tossup)

Candidates:

R –  Michael MacDonald (Sterling Heights)

D – Henry Yanez (Sterling Heights)

2010 Demographics (Approx) 85.4% White (includes Chaldean), 5.9% Black, 51.6% Obama 08

Covers Macomb Township, Sterling Heights, and 2/3 of Clinton Township.

2016 Trump 56.06%, Hillary 39.98% – Won by 21900

2014 Snyder 56.61%, Schauer 41.55% – Won by 13000

2012 Romney 50.59%, Obama 48.51% – Won by 2700

2006 DeVos  48.97%, Granholm 49.66% (not including D leaning Clinton Twp which reprecincted) – Lost by a couple of thousand.

This seat was made much more R after redistricting. The old district had Sterling Heights, Utica, Clinton Twp, and Roseville and leaned D. It did not have base R Macomb Twp.  Roseville was the most D part and gone. Utica leaned R and is gone. Some of the more D parts of Clinton Twp are gone.  Obama and Granholm (Who won all of Clinton Twp by 3-4K) won the district. Romney won it barely based on Macomb Twp alone. Snyder and Trump won all areas. Torry Rocca is a pro-gun moderate, but is a good fit for Macomb County.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Tossup

Updated analysis – If this wasn’t 56% Trump AND if it didn’t have strongly R Macomb Twp, I’d call this lean D. I’d keep it at tossup, but caucus is going to have to intervene. Mike Shirkey – you wanted MacDonald. He was your guy in the primary. He won. He’s broke. You better get him across the finish line.

Updated 10-28 – To Shirkey’s credit, caucus opened up their checkbooks for their recruit. They are trying to carry him across the finish line. That said, Macomb is volatile.

SD-11 – Safe D (73.28% Gregory in 2014). Open Seat.

Candidates:

R – Boris Tuman (Southfield)

D – Jeremy Moss (Southfield)

2010 Demographics – 56.5% White, 33.8% Black, 5% Asian, 73.3% Obama 08

Covers Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak Township (not City), and the City of Southfield in Oakland County.

2016 – Trump 24.62%, Hillary 71.50% – Lost by about 70,000

2014 – Snyder 33.97%, Schauer 64.56% – Lost by 31,000

2012 – Romney 25.76%, Obama 73.41% – Lost by 70,700 (Romney actually did worse than Trump here)

2006 – DeVos  27.14%, Granholm 71.66% – Lost by 54,000

 

This seat is the self-packing of a lot of Oakland County Democrats. Farmington and Farmington Hills lean D. The rest are base D areas. Southfield alone gives 30,000+ margins to the D’s. I’m surprised Romney did worse than Trump here, but that’s because of black turnout.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-12 – Lean R (57.55% Marleau in 2014)

Candidates:

R: –  Michael McCready (Bloomfield Hills)

D: – Rosemary Bayer (Beverly Hills)

2010 Demographics – 71.5% White, 15.7% Black, 6.6% Latino, 52.9% Obama 08)

Covers Addison Twp, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Twp, Clarkston, Independence Twp, Keego Harbor, Oakland Twp, Orion Twp, Oxford Twp, Pontiac, Southfield Twp (Bingham Farms, Franklin, Beverly Hills – not to be confused with City of Southfield), and Sylvan Lake in Oakland County.

2016 – Trump 47.97%, Hillary 47.42% – Won by 707

2014 – Snyder 55.73%, Schauer 42.47% – Won by 10,900

2012 – Romney 49.80%, Obama 49.32% – Won by 648

2006 – DeVos 49.81%, Granholm 48.80% – Won by 965.

I have this as “lean” because nothing with Pontiac is safe. It’s an 82-88% D majority minority city in the middle of Oakland County and is capable When it GOTV’s, things get difficult. Pontiac turns out in presidential years more than off years. Snyder had an 8300 deficit to make up. Trump had a 13,600 deficit. Romney had a 16,500 deficit to make up. Pontiac’s not the largest municipality, but it’s so blue, that it takes all of the big 4 of the North Oakland base to county (Independence, Orion, Oxford, Oakland).

The blue anchor in this district is Pontiac and Auburn Hills. Keego Harbor leans D, although Trump won it. Southfield Twp is tilt R swingish when the candidate isn’t Trump. Trump was smoked there and in light red Bloomfield Township. Trump made up for it in Keego Harbor  and the northern tier. Romney did well in Bloomfield and Southfield Twp, but got his clocked cleaned in Pontiac worse than most.  The good news for R’s is that the biggest R base in Oakland County is also in this district. Independence Township around Clarkston anchors the R’s. Orion, Oxford, Oakland, and Addison Townships also form the North Oakland anchor. These are all growing areas and Trump held his own here. That’s why he won the district.

Update – Gongwer Rating – TOSSUP (Moved to Tossup 9-27)

Updated analysis – D’s have been making a lot of noise here. With straight ticket gone, I’m not seeing it because the D’s are so dependent on Pontiac. Bloomfield Twp and Southfield Twp (not City – but Bingham Farms/Franklin/Beverly Hills) are moving away from us, but even if the D’s win them, Pontiac needs to be all in for the D’s to have a shot. McCready is strong in the Bloomfield area. If he can get the more conservative areas on board like Oxford/Orion/Independence (Tedder Country), he’ll win without too much trouble. Pontiac keeps it lean R however, as does Bayer’s fundraising.

Updated analysis – 10-28 – Bayer doesn’t have McCready money, but Bayer has enough to compete. This district however is more favorable to R’s in midterms due to Pontiac tendency to turnout in POTUS years. The D base in this district isn’t resistance white leftists. It’s minorities in Pontiac (Detroit North) and Auburn Hills.  Bloomfield Twp, Southfield Twp, and Auburn Hills has some of those types, but those areas aren’t to be confused with West Bloomfield or even Birmingham. McCready is also from the Bloomfields (although just moved from B Hills to B Twp) and should blunt the blue trend there. If Pontiac votes like a normal midterm, this is over for the D’s. Still Lean R.

SD-13 – Tossup (58.14% Knollenberg in 2014) (Tossup tilt D)

Candidates:

R – Marty Knollenberg (Troy)

D – Mallory McMorrow (Royal Oak)

2010 Demographics – 82.1% White, 9.6% Asian, 52.7% Obama 08

Covers Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, and Troy.

2016 – Trump 44.44%, Hillary 50.39% – Lost by 9200

2014 – Snyder 62.08%, Schauer 36.26% – Won by 28,000

2012 – Romney 49.90%, Obama 49.11% – Won by 1200

2006 – DeVos 48.38%, Granholm 50.19% – Lost by 2200

This district has scared me for awhile. Birmingham (most social liberal traditional R area in the state) and Troy (demographics) have been trending away from us. Royal Oak and Berkley are blue anchors and getting more blue. Clawson has been stable, but difficult (lean D). Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Bloomfield Hills have to carry this district now. Troy is also a must win and infighting there hasn’t helped matters. Whomever the R candidate is here has to win Birmingham and Troy while running up the score in Bloomfield Hills and the Rochesters to have a chance against the hipsters and yuppies of Royal Oak and Berkley.

Rick Snyder had a unique appeal to this district. A Snyder type candidate could hold this seat.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Tossup

Updated Analysis – McMorrow is a carpetbagger and attacked for her California ties. Marty Knollenberg is partially heir force (dad was Congressman), but also a small business owner and long time state legislator in his own right. He’s a veteran of tough elections. Geography really scares me here and has for a long time. That said, candidate quality has saved us here before with John Pappageorge taking down Andy Levin in 2006.

Updated 10-28-18 – I really hope my gut is wrong here. Marty Knollenberg stepped up on the fundraising. I’ve heard he’s not dead yet and we may hold on here. My gut tells me geography is working against us. Birmingham and Troy can go either way. Rochesters have diminishing returns and I’ve heard we have some trouble there. Clawson leans D. Royal Oak and Berkley are indivisible troll central. I think this is the 3rd most likely seat to flip.

 

SD-14 – Safe R (57.57% Robertson in 2014).

Candidates:

R – Ruth Johnson (Holly)

D – Renee Watson (Grand Blanc)

2010 Demographics – 87.9% White, 50.5% Obama 08

Covers Atlas Twp, Davison, Davison Twp, the City of Fenton, Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc Twp, and Mundy Twp in Genesee County. Covers  Brandon Twp, small part of Fenton in Oakland County, Groveland Twp, Highland Twp, Holly Twp,  Lake Angelus, Rose Twp, Springfield Twp, and Waterford Twp in Oakland County.

2016 – Trump – 55.65%, Hillary 38.88% – Won by 22,200

2014  – Snyder – 56.44%, Schauer 41.18% – Won by 13,100

2012 – Romney – 51.31%, Obama 47.57% – Won by 4,800

2006 – DeVos – 49.13%, Granholm 49.37% – Lost by 255

 

This seat has moved in our direction some, partly due to trends in Waterford,  partly due to redistricting, and mostly due to growth in Northern Oakland County. There is a counter-balance away from R’s in the Grand Blanc area due to demographic changes (Flint residents moving there).  Waterford is between 1/4 and 1/3 of the district and is swingish to light red although it does have a union tradition. Holly is swingish. The rest of North Oakland (and West Oakland in Highland’s case) is strong base R.  In Genesee, there’s a long D tradition throughout, although Grand Blanc was formerly light red, now light blue. Fenton City is light red. The Davison area and Mundy Twps are blue, although they are Trump democrats there. Generally, the Oakland part can cancel out the Genesee Part of the district with Waterford usually determining the winner.  DeVos won Waterford, but was smoked in Genesee (D’s took 60% in Davison/Mundy that year).  I have this as Safe R with the expectation that Secretary of State Ruth Johnson will be the nominee. She’ll have little trouble locking down this seat.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican (Moved to Lean R 10-18) – I don’t see this one. Gongwer expects an Oakland County collapse, but I don’t see it going that far up, nor do I see it against Ruth who won against the D’s best in the past. Compare Trump to Romney here. This is my biggest disagreement with Gongwer.

 

SD-15 – Lean R (58.48% Kowall in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Jim Runestad (White Lake)

D – Julia Pulver (West Bloomfield)

2010 Demographics – 82.9% White, 5.9% Black, 6.6% Asian – 51% Obama 2008

Covers Commerce twp, Lyon Twp, Milford Twp, Part of Northville in Oakland County, Novi, Novi Twp, Orchard Lake, South Lyon, Walled Lake, West Bloomfield Twp, White Lake Twp, and Wixom.

2016 – Trump 49.81%, Hillary 45.68% – Won by 6100

2014 – Snyder 62.60%, Schauer 35.93% – Won by 25,800

2012 – Romney 52.47%, Obama 46.66% – Won by 8200

2006 -DeVos 49.06%, Granholm 49.67%, Lost by 654.

I’m going to go out on a limb and call this a lean R district. It should be ours, but we’re going to have to work for it. If it is a wave year, look out. DeVos lost the district due to a big West Bloomfield cratering (worse than Trump’s by percentage) and a low base turnout, despite DeVos winning Novi and Wixom.

The base D area is West Bloomfield which is the largest municipality in the district. It’s been democrat for years with a large Jewish population, but is also is about 20% minority (black and Asian) as Farmington Hills moves north, and Southfield moves northwest. It also has a significant Chaldean population (which supported Trump), which may have stopped Trump from doing even worse.  Novi (2nd largest municipality), Walled Lake, and Wixom are swingish. Novi used to be base R around 2000, but demographics are making things difficult there as Farmington Hills moves West. Walled Lake is always close. Trump, Romney, Obama, Granholm, Bush, and Gore won it. Wixom flipped after the Ford plant closed and the low rent apartments started to vote more. Wixom will be more trouble in presidential years.

The R base in the district is the zigzag shape region from Commerce, White Lake, Milford, Lyon Twp, and South Lyon. Lyon Twp is one of the fastest growing areas in the state. This is all 57%+ R territory there  outside of 54-56% South Lyon. Trump did exceptionally well in White Lake and I wonder if that’s the old Waterford union influence. Novi, Wixom, and West Bloomfield are 1/2 of the district’s population, so R’s better be prepared to work here. I know one candidate would. I also think the other would not.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Lean Republican

Updated Analysis – Jim Runestad is working extremely hard and preparing for a wave. D’s aren’t going to catch him napping. I’m mildly concerned about this due to West Bloomfield and Novi, but I don’t see a candidate of Runestad’s caliber losing this district.

Updated 10-28 – D’s made some noise here, but not to the same degree as SD-12 or SD-13. If this one goes, we are in real deep blue wave trouble.  Runestad’s run a good campaign. He’s running like he’s 10 pts down. Novi and West Bloomfield are trouble, as is possibly Wixom and Walled Lake (although Trump won it), but Jim is extremely strong in White Lake and Milford, and likely to do very well in Commerce, Lyon Twp, and South Lyon. If Runestad runs 50/50 in Novi, it’s over and he’s going to win.

SD-16 – Safe R (60.84% Shirkey in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Mike Shirkey (Clark Lake)

D – Val Cochrane Toops (Michigan Center)

2010 Demographics – 88.6% White, 5.6% Black, 49.8% McCain 08

2016 – Trump – 61.22%, Hillary 33.24% – Won by 30,000

2014 – Snyder – 57.92%, Schauer 39.62% – Won by 13,000

2012 – Romney – 54.93%, Obama 43.83% – Won by 11,700

2006 – DeVos – 50.39%, Granholm 48.05% – Won by 2000.

 

Jackson County is a light red county (although Trump got 57% there) that only flips when it is a d wave year (2006 and 2008). It does have a union tradition and a very high number of independents, but it is also quite conservative and has a free soil tradition being the birthplace of the GOP. The city itself is strongly democrat (about 25% minority), but usually not to the level of many other Michigan core cities.  Branch and Hillsdale Counties are base R counties and even in bad years, can counter Jackson County.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-17 – Tossup (51.13% for Zorn in 2014). I think Zorn has another term.

R – Dale Zorn (Ida)

D – Bill LaVoy (Monroe)

2010 Demographics – 90.5% White, 51.4% Obama 08

Covers all of Lenawee and Monroe Counties

2016 – Trump 58.00%, Hillary 36.30% – Won by 26,000

2014 – Snyder – 52.38%, Schauer 44.84% – Won by 5700

2012 – Romney – 49.28%, Obama 49.40% – Lost by 142

2006 – DeVos – 47.10%, Granholm 51.29% – Lost by 3800

Do I call this tossup or lean R with the strong incumbent who beat the D’s best in 2014 and the Trump numbers of this district? The D’s had this district in the 80’s. Historically, Monroe County is light blue, but is winnable for R’s (Trump, Richardville). Lenawee County is light red, but winnable for D’s (Spade brothers, Obama 08) . Both areas had state rep seats flip there.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Lean Republican

Updated fundraising

Updated analysis – I’m moving this to lean R with LaVoy’s fundraising. He’s not gaining traction for a swing seat especially for a former Rep.

Updated 10-28 – This is now “almost safe.” D’s are conceding this one as shown with fundraising.

SD-18 – Safe D (72.11% for Warren in 2014).

Candidates:

R – Martin Church (Ypsilanti)

D  – Jeff Irwin (Ann Arbor)

2010 Demographics – 67.4% White, 15.6% Black, 9.1% Asian – 74.1% Obama 08

2016 – Trump 22.24%, Hillary 73.19% – Lost by 73,000

2014 – Snyder 36.54%, Schauer 61.58% – Lost by 22,200

2012 – Romney 26.66%, Obama 71.98% – Lost by 61,800

2006 – DeVos – 26.59%, Granholm 71.99%, lost by 46,000

 

In 2016, Washtenaw County was the most D county in Michigan beating Wayne County for the first time since I don’t know when. This district is the Eastern Washtenaw County self packing of the Ypsi and Ann Arbor areas, along with poor Salem Twp (an extension of South Lyon) and York Twp. Every community here except those two township leans democrat, although Saline and Augusta Twp are winnable by R’s in good years. Union D Augusta Twp went for Trump and (very slightly) reduced his cratering here.  Ann Arbor is academia personified (UM) as well as the center of Planned Parenthood strength in MI. Ypsilanti is a mix of academia (EMU) along with union and and inner city democrats. It’s usually more D than Ann Arbor except in 2016. This area is a black hole for R’s. Not even Snyder could win it, and he’s from here. That said, Snyder did exceptionally good, getting more votes here than Trump…with the off year turnout. Trump was as extraordinarily bad here as he was extraordinarily good in the neighboring 17th district and Macomb/Genesee seats.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-19 – Safe R (61.58% for Nofs in 2014)

Candidates:

R: John Bizon (Battle Creek)

D: Jason Noble (Middleville)

2010 Demographics – 85.7% White, 6.9% black, 49.7% Obama 08

Covers Barry County, Ionia County, and Calhoun County

2016 – Trump 58.00%, Hillary 35.86%, won by 25,800

2014 – Snyder 57.43%, Schauer 40.19%, won by 12,900

2012 – Romney 52.67%, Obama 45.98%, won by 7500

2006 – DeVos 45.35%, Granholm 53.20%, lost by 7200

 

Outside of a wave here, this is safe R territory. Calhoun County swings and is usually very light blue, but Barry and Ionia County are base R counties unless it is a 2006 year (Granholm actually won Ionia, probably due to correction workers). Half of the district is Calhoun County. The D base is Battle Creek (moderate blue, but winnable in a great R year), Springfield (extension of Battle Creek) and Albion (70%D). A candidate who can compete to near 50/50 in Calhoun will win the district. Romney lost Calhoun and won the district by 7500. Trump won all counties easily, getting 53.47% in Calhoun County and 60%+ in the others.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-20 – Lean D (45.58% for O’Brien in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Margaret O’Brien (Portage)

D – Sean McCann (Kalamazoo)

2010 Demographics – 79.9% White, 10.7% Black, 58.9% Obama 08

Covers Kalamazoo County

2016 – Trump 40.41%, Hillary 53.17%, lost by 16,000

2014 – Snyder 51.02%, Schauer 46.23%, won by 3900

2012 – Romney 42.75%, Obama 56.06%, lost by 16,400

2006 – DeVos 39.21%, Granholm 59.49%, lost by 19,000

Frankly, I’m shocked this district hasn’t flipped. I’m not sure if we caught a break or not with former RINO Lorence Wenke picking up 7100 votes as a libertarian. I’m at borderline tossup/lean D. Margaret O’Brien is a very good candidate who won a tough race in 2014 against the best the D’s had to run. If she wasn’t an incumbent, It’s an easy decision to go lean D. Off years usually aren’t as bad for us here as POTUS years are which might save us. I have no doubt O’Brien will do her part. I also see too many 5 digit vote spreads here.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Tossup

Updated Fundraising

Sean McCann (D) – Raised 179K, Spent 43K, 136K Cash on hand

Margaret O’Brien (R) – Raised 335K, Spent 166K, 185K Cash on hand

Updated analysis – I’m keeping this at Lean D, but I’m wavering. If anyone can win this, it’s Margaret O’Brien. Caucus will do whatever they can to try and save her. I have little doubt about that.

Updated 10-28-18 – R’s aren’t conceding this and frankly should not triage this seat. When you have an incumbent candidate on the level of Margaret O’Brien, you go to bat for her. She has the fundraising edge and isn’t giving up. I still have to call this lean D, and the 2nd most likely seat to flip, but I’ll only be slightly surprised if she wins. 

SD-21 – Safe R (64.50% for Proos in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Kim LaSata (St Joseph)

D – Ian Haight (St Joseph)

2010 Demographics – 81% White, 10.4% Black, 51% Obama 08

Covers Berrien, Cass, and St Joseph Counties.

2016 – Trump – 57.25%, Hillary 37.41%, won by 23,500

2014 – Snyder  – 56.84%, Schauer 40.07%, won by 12,000

2012 – Romney – 53.96%, Obama 44.93%, won by 10,700

2006 – DeVos – 51.48%, Granholm 47.15%, won by 3800

Even though Obama won this in 08, I’m calling it safe because despite 2008, the D’s never flipped a state rep district here, even the one covering Benton Harbor which had a turbocharged Obama turnout, nor the very populist and unpredictable Cass County (Obama and Granholm won it, but Romney and Trump won it big).  St Joseph County is a base R county.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-22 – Safe R (58.85% for Hune in 2014)

Candidates:

R – Lana Theis (Brighton)

D – Adam Dreher (Carpetbagger from Ypsi to Oceola Twp)

2010 Demographics – 93% White, 51.9% McCain 08

Covers all of Livingston County and Bridgewater Twp, Chelsea, Dexter, Dexter Twp, Freedom Twp, Lima Twp, Lodi Twp, Lyndon Twp, Manchester Twp, Northfield Twp, Saline Twp (not City), Scio Twp, Sharon Twp, Sylvan Twp, and Webster Twp in Washtenaw County.

2016 – Trump 55.95%, Hillary 38.66%, won by 26,100

2014 – Snyder 63.65%, Schauer 34.42%, won by 29,100

2012 – Romney 56.61%, Obama 42.34%, won by 21,000

2010 – DeVos 52.71%, Granholm 45.94%, won by 7600

This district is anchored by 60%+R Livingston County which outvotes Western Washtenaw County in this district. Scio Township (extension of Ann Arbor), Dexter, and Chelsea are deep blue D bases, but this is a battle of the bases district, and even when the swing areas (Webster, Sylvan Twp, Dexter Twp etc)  go against the R’s, it’s safe barring a Don Sherwoodesque disaster.

Overall, Trump lost the Washtenaw portion by 5100, Snyder (from Washtenaw) won it by 4300, Romney lost it by 2700, and DeVos lost it by 4500. Trump won Livingston by 31,200. Snyder won it by 25,700, Romney won it 22,800, and DeVos won it by 12,000. That’s the story of the district right there.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-23 – Safe D (66.09% for Hertel in 2014)

Candidates:

R –  Andrea Pollock (Lansing)

D – Curtis Hertel Jr (East Lansing)

2010 Demographics – 71.1% White, 12% Black, 7.6% Latino, 5.4% Asian, 67% Obama 08

Covers all of Ingham County except Leroy Twp, Locke Twp, Wheatfield Twp, Williamstown Twp, and City of Williamston.

2016 – Trump 32.02%, Hillary 61.73%, lost by 36,200

2014 – Snyder 39.29%, Schauer 58.82%, lost by 15,600

2012 – Romney 34.02%, Obama 64.57%, lost by 36,300

2006 – DeVos 31.23%, Granholm 67.60%, lost by 35,400

This district covers most of Ingham County including Lansing, East Lansing, Meridian Twp, Delhi Twp (Holt), and Mason. It’s as safe D as it gets between the state workers and MSU.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-24 – Lean R (56.39% for Jones)

Candidates:

R – Tom Barrett (Potterville)

D – Kelly Rossman McKinney (DeWitt)

2010 Demographics – 89% White, 52% Obama 08

Covers Clinton, Eaton, and Shiawassee Counties along with Leroy Twp, Locke Twp, Wheatfield Twp, Williamstown Twp, and City of Williamston in Ingham County.

2016 – Trump 52.28%, Hillary 41.25%, won by 15,500

2014 – Snyder  51.47%, Schauer 46.48%, won by 5000

2012 – Romney 49.49%, Obama 49.29%, won by 273

2006 – DeVos 42.71%, Granholm 56.01%, lost by 15,400

I have this on the tossup/lean R border. Eaton County swings. Clinton County is light red. Shiawassee County also swings, as does the portion of Ingham County. Candidate quality is a huge matter in this district. Off years aren’t a GOP advantage here either due to the large number of state workers in all of the counties here. Tom Barrett is an exceptionally strong candidate here for the R’s. He’s a social conservative who was a state worker before he was elected. He beat an incumbent D in a district that went for Mark Schauer in 2014, so that was all his work. Lean R if Barrett’s the nominee.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Lean Republican

Updated Analysis – The money difference is alarming, but Rossman-McKinney is a lobbyist while Barrett is a top level retail candidate. He’s arguably the best there is on doors outside of maybe Joe Hune. He’s been outspent every election when you include outside money and won the primary over 2-1 despite that. Tom’s beat an incumbent D and won the rematch. He won a district Snyder and Romney lost (and Trump barely won).  I don’t bet against Tom Barrett. I’m biased, but I’ve seen him work. I’m with Gongwer on the lean R Rating.

Updated 10-28-18 – Still lean R. Barrett’s mostly closed the fundraising gap against the D’s top fundraising candidate (a lobbyist). The swamp (utility lobby) has thrown the kitchen sink at Barrett in the primary and he won easily. They are doing it again, but not even Gongwer moved this to tossup. Barrett’s won a tougher seat than this twice, once over an incumbent D. Candidate quality saves us here IMO.

SD-25 – Safe R (55.83% for Pavlov)

Candidates:

R – Dan Lauwers (Brockway Twp)

D – Debbie Bourgois (Fort Gratiot)

2010 Demographics – 93.2% White, 49.1% McCain

Covers Huron, Sanilac, St Clair Counties, along with Armada Twp, New Baltimore, Richmond, and Richmond Twp in Macomb County.

2016 – Trump 64.89%, Hillary 29.91%, won by 48,500

2014 – Snyder 57.65%, Schauer 39.50%, won by 15,500

2012 – Romney 54.89%, Obama 43.94%, won by 13,300

2006 – DeVos 51.17%, Granholm 47.20%, won by 4,100

 

Phil Pavlov beat the toughest possible opponent in 2014 (Terry Brown). While nothing is completely safe in regards to the Thumb and Macomb and their ticketsplitting tradition, this is about as safe as it can get. Sanilac is a longtime base R county. Huron is populist, but should be a base R county for us (if it isn’t, we’re getting smoked.) St Clair was a ticketsplitting county for years with a D base in Port Huron (which voted for Trump) and blood red areas near the Macomb border.  The Macomb parts of the district are usually safe R areas (although nothing is safe in Macomb).

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-26 – Safe R (61.38% for Schuitmaker)

Candidates:

R – Bob Genetski (Saugatuck), Aric Nesbitt (Lawton), Don Wickstra (Hamilton)

D – Garnet Lewis (Carpetbagger – now in Saugatuck)

2010 Demographics – 82.1% White, 5.3% Black, 8.0% Latino, 50.6% McCain

Covers all of Allegan and Van Buren Counties, along with Gaines Twp and Kentwood in Kent County.

2016 – Trump – 55.20%, Hillary 38.55%, won by 20,900

2014 – Snyder – 62.22%, Schauer 35.21%, won by 21,300

2012 – Romney – 54.77%, Obama 44.07%, won by 12,800

2006 – DeVos – 52.41%, Granholm 46.39%, won by 5900

 

Northern Allegan County is one of the most GOP areas in the entire country. Allegan County overall is about 40% of the district. Adding GOP base suburb (59% in a bad year) Gaines Township in Kent County makes it over 1/2 of the district.  Van Buren County swings (went for Trump, Obama twice, Granholm, and Bush twice). Kentwood used to be base R, but demographic changes turned it blue. It’s probably 20% black now and another 10% Latino. Any district with all of Allegan County is safe R, but Van Buren, Southern Allegan, and Kent County will be competitive for years to come.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-27 – Safe D (77.30% for Ananich)

Candidates:

R – Donna Kekesis (Flint)

D -Jim Ananich (Flint)

2010 Demographics – 61% White, 31.7% Black, 74.9% Obama

Covers Burton, Clio, Flint, Flint Twp, Forest Twp, Genesee Twp, Mount Morris, Mt Morris Twp, Richfield Twp, Swartz Creek, Thetford Twp, and Vienna Twp in Genesee County.

2016 – Trump 33.52%, Hillary 62.19%, lost by 29,300

2014 – Snyder 25.66%, Schauer 71.87%, lost by 31,900

2012 – Romney 24.80%, Obama 74.26%, lost by 54,500

2006 – DeVos – 24.56%, Granholm 74.21%, lost by 44,700

 

This district is the D base of Genesee County. Flint, Flint Twp, Mount Morris, Genesee Twp, and Burton (shockingly won by Trump), make this one of the safest D districts in the state. All the areas here are staunchly Democrat with the except of Trump’s wins in Burton, Clio, Forest Twp, Richfield Twp, Thetford Twp, and Vienna Twp. Outside of Swartz Creek, Trump won most of the white D areas. 33.52% is actually very impressive for an R in this district, where they consistently get in the mid 20’s. Flint itself is about 1/3 of the district and ranges from 83-89% D.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Democrat

SD-28 – Safe R (66.14% for MacGregor).

Candidates:

R – Peter MacGregor (Rockford)

D – Craig Beach (Rockford), Gidget Groendyk [formerly Scott W Langford] (Rockford), Ryan Jeanette (Grand Rapids)

Note – Name changes within the last 5 years are shown on the ballot. Rocky Raczkowski was on the ballot one time as A. Rocky Raczkowski (former Andrew Raczkowski) when he changed his middle name since everybody knows him as Rocky based on his last name.

2010 Demographics – 84.7% White, 8.5% Latino, 55.5% McCain

Covers Algoma Twp, Alpine Twp, Byron Twp, Cannon Twp, Cedar Springs, Courtland Twp, Grandville, Grattan Twp, Nelson twp, Oakfield Twp, Plainfield Twp, Rockford, Solon Twp, Sparta Twp, Spencer Twp, Tyrone Twp, Vergennes Twp, Walker, and Wyoming in Kent County.

2016 – Trump 57.83%, Hillary 35.66%, won by 29,900

2014 – Snyder 66.74%, Schauer 30.88%, won by 29,900

2012 – Romney 60.51%, Obama 38.47%, won by 28,100

2006 – DeVos  57.92%, Granholm 41.12%, won by 17,700

 

This is one of the safer districts in Michigan covering rural and suburban Kent County. There are only three strongly competitive suburbs of Grand Rapids, and they are split into different districts. Wyoming is the competitive one in this district and it is slightly under a quarter of the district. It is very light red, as is more rural Alpine Twp due to sizable minority populations. Rural Spencer Twp also went D once for Granholm over DeVos. I wonder that was a local issue (Dick DeVos is from Kent County) since it is usually safe R. The rest of the rural areas and suburbs are base R areas.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-29 – Lean D (57.93% for Hildenbrand)

Candidates:

R – Chris Afendoulis (Grand Rapids), Daniel J Oesch (Alto)

D – Winnie Brinks (Grand Rapids)

2010 Demographics – 69.2% White, 14.4% Black, 11.4% Latino, 56.3% Ovama 08

Covers Ada Twp, Bowne Twp, Caledonia Twp, Cascade Twp, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Twp, Lowell, and Lowell Twp in Kent County

2016 – Trump 39.18%, Hillary 54.31%, lost by 20,600

2014 – Snyder 57.10%, Schauer 40.82%, won by 13,600

2012 – Romney 46.27%, Obama 52.66%, Lost by 8300

2006 – DeVos 48.02%, Granholm 51.93%,  Lost by 3200

Thanks to candidate quality, we have some seats held we have no business winning on paper.  Since I’ve been active in politics, the Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Royal Oak, NE Lower peninsula (a big deal in mid 2000’s), and Saginaw based districts have always been in R hands. I don’t expect us to hold all of them forever. I’m going to anger my Grand Rapids area friends, but I have to call this one lean D for now unless there’s another Bill Hardiman or Dave Hildenbrand in the wings. Dave was a great candidate who had two good cycles. Bill won in a buzzsaw year somehow. GR however has gotten more D. It’s not as bad as off years, but in a neutral year in Kent County, it’s trouble when GR is 2/3 of the district.

This is a battle of the bases district (and one swing area in East Grand Rapids) which covers Grand Rapids, some eastern suburbs, and a couple of rural areas east of the city. This was one of Trump’s worst areas. The R’s here are largely Dutch conservatives or influenced by them. They live what they believe and do not like Trump style politicians. In addition, GR itself is democrat due to minorities and a larger than expected population of college students and yuppies downtown. It was a perfect storm for Trump.

Trump won the area outside of the city by 6800. He lost the city by 25,700. Snyder won the area outside of the city by 15,500 and lost the city by 2000. Romney won the area outside of the city by about 13,600. Devos won the area outside of the city by about 9,000 votes. He lost the city by 12,300. I think this state senate seat will be the first to flip (otherwise would say Kalamazoo, but O’Brien’s a strong incumbent).

Update – Gongwer Rating – Lean D (Updated 10-17)

Updated Analysis – I’m still at lean D because of GR’s change, but Afendoulis is giving R’s a chance. I think this is a longshot although caucus is going to fight for him.

Updated 10-17 – Looks like this seat is triaged according to Gongwer which moved this seat to lean D as their most likely pickup.

Updated 10-28 – Cash on hand favors the D’s here. I think this one is done. Still Lean D. 

 

SD-30 – Safe R (71.42% for Meekhof)

Candidates:

R – Rett DeBoer (Holland), Daniela Garcia (Holland), Joe Haveman (Zeeland), Roger Victory (Hudsonville)

D – Jeanette Schipper (Holland)

2010 Demographics – 87.5% White, 8.7% Latino

Covers all of Ottawa County

2016 – Trump 61.98%, Hillary 31.51%, won by 43,500

2014 – Snyder 73.58%, Schauer 24.52%, won by 43,900

2012 – Romney 66.63%, Obama 32.30%, won by 45,400

2006 – DeVos  65.13%, Granholm 33.89%, won by 34,200

This is the safest seat in Michigan. Ottawa County is (usually) the most R county in the state. Grand Haven (vacation area) and Holland (high Latino population) are competitive, but the rest of the county is blood red. Trump’s numbers were bad for a Republican (like most Dutch areas outside of farm country or up north), and he still won easily. This seat is frustrating because we get some very liberal R’s sometimes elected here considering it is a 65%+ district, but that’s how it goes in West Michigan at times.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-31 – Lean R (54.54% for Green).

Candidates:

R – Kevin Daley (Lum)

D –  Cynthia Luczak (Bay City)

2010 Demographics – 92.5% White, Obama 51.7% 08

Covers Bay, Lapeer, and Tuscola Counties

2016 – Trump 60.88%, Hillary 33.73%, won by 33,600

2014 – Snyder 52.07%, Schauer 44.85%, won by 6300

2012 – Romney 51.34%, Obama 47.43%, won by 4800

2006 – DeVos 44.35%, Granholm 53.68%, lost by 9900

 

This is a social conservative but populist pro-labor area. Lapeer County is one moving our way and I long thought could be the next Livingston County as people are moving from Oakland and Macomb. The southern tier is, but the rest of it is a mix of the “thumb” and more populist Flint area commuters (like Eastern Shiawassee County). Tuscola is a mix of “thumb” and Saginaw commuters. Bay County is UAW country and has a long democrat tradition. Overall, Lapeer is a base county, Tuscola is light to medium red depending on the candidate (exception 2006),  and Bay County a democrat base. It’s overall trending in our direction slowly until Trump’s big win in 2016. Downticket, Mike Green was a perfect fit for the area being a pro-gun, pro-life, semi-populist moderate. The numbers overall are starting to favor us, but Bay County still elects a lot of moderates (pro-gun, pro-life) who also appeal to Tuscola and Lapeer independents. This isn’t a safe district, despite the Trump numbers. If Brunner runs for it, this one could be a darkhorse.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Lean Republican

Updated Analysis – R’s had a bruising primary here. There’s an opening for Luczak, but Gary Glenn was a team player and endorsed Kevin Daley afterward. He’s got a grudge, but it’s against the outside money from the utilities more than Daley. I’m surprised at the lack of fundraising for Luczak considering the D bench in Bay City.

Updated 10-28 – Lean R still. D’s are playing ball here to an extent, but to what degree. Bay County has to go back to it’s 58%+D downticket days to probably have a chance with the way the thumb is moving to the R’s. 

SD-32Lean R (54.35% for Horn) (moved from tossup)

Candidates:

R – Ken Horn (Frankenmuth)

D – Phil Phelps (Flushing)

2010 Demographics – 76.5% White, 14.2% Black, 6.4% Latino.

Covers all of Saginaw County and Argentine Twp, Clayton Twp, Fenton Twp, Flushing, Flushing Twp, Gaines Twp, Linden, Montrose, and Montrose Twp in Genesee County.

2016 – Trump 50.62%, Hillary 44.47%, won by 8100

2014 – Snyder 46.77%, Schauer 50.92%, lost by 3900

2012 – Romney 45.46%, Obama 53.55%, lost by 10,900

2006 – DeVos 39.41%, Granholm 59.37%, lost by 21,300

This is another candidate quality district. D’s have run bad candidates for this district while R’s run good ones. On paper it leans D, but matchups matter. We’ve had this district since Mike Goschka’s upset win years back (1998?). Western Genesee is difficult, but winnable for all parties (Fenton and Argentine lean R, Flushing goes either way, NW Genesee leans D). Saginaw County has a mix of light blue union commuting rural areas to the south, R leaning western suburbs, base R Frankenmuth, and the D base area of Saginaw, Buena Vista Twp, Bridgeport Twp, and Carrollton usually outvoting everyone.

Trump won the Genesee County part by 7000. He won Saginaw County by 1100. Snyder won the Genesee County part by 1200. He lost Saginaw County by 5100. Romney  won the Genesee County part by 730. He lost Saginaw County by 11,600. DeVos  lost Genesee County portion by 3500. He lost Saginaw County by 18,700.

Our chances here depend on the matchups. Eventually the D’s may get their act together here and nominate someone besides a far leftist from Saginaw City against the R’s tendency to nominate pro-gun/pro-life moderates. R’s may make a mistake and nominate a union buster here. If both sides get their act together here, slight D advantage outside of a Trump year. If it’s the same ole of the past 15 years, slight lean R.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Lean Republican

Updated Analysis – I’m sticking my neck out and moving this to lean R based on candidate quality. I’ve heard a LOT of good about Ken Horn. Phil Phelps isn’t a bad candidate, but just got through a tough primary and is facing an incumbent who won in a “landslide” here even as Snyder lost the district. I’m not sure D caucus is going to go all in on this one either.

Updated 10-28 – I’m not seeing the D’s put up a regular fight here. Lean R.

SD-33 – Safe R (57.21% for Emmons) Open Seat.

Candidates:

R – Greg Alexander (Stanton) and Rick Outman (Six Lakes)

D – Mark Bignell (Greenville)

2010 Demographics – 90.7% White, 52.3% Obama

Covers Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, and Montcalm counties.

2016 – Trump 58.51%, Hillary, 35.37%, won by 22,900

2014 – Snyder 53.00%, Schauer 43.67%, won by 6100

2012 – Romney 50.86%, Obama 47.84%, won by 2900

2006 – DeVos 45.58%, Granholm 52.99%, lost by 6100

This is the Safe/Lean R border. I say that because the D’s in Isabella County have yet to flip even a state rep seat. If they can’t flip their d leaning (on paper) state rep seat, they won’t flip this one.  Clare is a traditionally swing county, but moving back our way. Gratiot and Montcalm are light red outside of 06/08 disaster. Mecosta is light to moderate red. Isabella County leans democrat with Mt Pleasant and Central Michigan University. Trump actually won Isabella County, which shocked me. R’s haven’t won that in a Presidential (Engler held it in gubernatorial years since that’s his home) since 88. Trump did extraordinarily well in Montcalm County. Greenville was infamous for the Electrolux plant closing and manufacturing jobs going out of the country.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-34 – Tossup (55.60% for Hansen) (Tossup Tilt R)

Candidates:

R – Jon Bumstead (Newaygo)

D – Poppy Sias-Hernandez (Muskegon)

2010 Demographics – 80.8% White, 10.1% Black, 5.9% Latino, 59% Obama 08

Covers Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.

2016 – Trump 51.95%, Hillary 42.15%, won by 11,100

2014 – Snyder 51.27%, Schauer 45.67%, won by 4000

2012 – Romney 45.45%, Obama 53.37%, lost by 11,300

2006 – DeVos 40.07%, Granholm 58.88%, lost by 17.400

 

This is similar to the Grand Rapids district although Trump made a lot of inroads here. It’s a battle of the deep red Newaygo County, light red (outside 2006/2008) Oceana County, swingish Muskegon suburbs, and deep blue Muskegon/Muskegon Heights. Muskegon County (city and burbs) is the most unionized part of West Michigan with the auto industry. The Cities of Muskegon and Muskegon Heights have large minority populations as well. Trump’s performance in Oceana County (60%) surprised me since it has a large Mexican population. Muskegon County is about 3/4 of the district.

Trump lost Muskegon County by 1200, and won the rest of the district by 12,300. Snyder won the portion outside Muskegon County by 4900. He lost Muskegon County by 1900. Romney won the portion outside of Muskegon County by 4900. He lost Muskegon County by 13,600. DeVos won the portion outside of Muskegon County by 337 and lost Muskegon County by 17,700. This is always a difficult battle, although Holly Hughes has been in every battle there is. She’s won and lost multiple times in a swing to lean D district and most critically, represents the Muskegon suburbs.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Tossup

Updated Fundraising

Updated Analysis – The primaries here had a pair of upsets. The R’s nominated the rural candidate and a strong conservative. The D’s picked someone from Muskegon itself. The D’s have gone after this district every single election for years and can’t find a way to win. Trump won the district, and was the first POTUS R to do so since either 1988 or 2004, not sure which. I’m still calling it a tossup, but the straight tickets being gone helps in Muskegon itself.

Updated – 10-28 – This is the toughest one for me to read. I’ll have it as tossup Tilt R since Bumstead has held elected office, combined with Trump’s Yuge improvement over Romney in this district. The Muskegon suburbs will decide this race. It’s why Trump won (yes, Trump can win suburbs) and why Romney lost. The rural counties will come through for Bumstead (although Oceana could give us trouble with its higher than normal Mexican population) and the city will come through for Sias-Hernandez. What will the union suburbs in Muskegon County do?

SD-35 – Safe R (59.53% for Booher)

Candidates:

R – Curt Vanderwall (Ludington)

D – Mike Taillard (Benzonia)

Note – Urka filed as a D, withdrew as D, running as R.

2010 Demographics – 94.1% white, 49.3% Obama 08

Covers Benzie, Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Roscommon, Wexford.

2016 – Trump 61.20%, Hillary 33.48%, won by 36,100

2014 – Snyder 54.96%, Schauer 41.98%, won by 11,700

2012 – Romney 53.86%, Obama 44.91%, won by 11,400

2006 – DeVos 49.53%, Granholm 48.89%, won by 694

 

Outside of Leelanau County (wine country, many Chicago and Ann Arbor transplants), this was some of Trump’s best areas. It’s a mix of Base R areas (Kalkaska, Missaukee, Osceola, Wexford), traditional D areas moving away (Ogemaw, Roscommon, lesser extent moving away in Lake),  usually light red Crawford, Leelanau, and Mason (outside of 2006 buzzsaw), swingish Benzie, and still strongly union D leaning (but Trump won it) Manistee. Leelanau County will be a challenge in the future, but as long as Ogemaw and Roscommon don’t revert to their roots (even Romney won them) we should be alright with Missaukee and Wexford anchoring this area.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-36 – Safe R (61.26% for Stamas)

Candidates:

R – Jim Stamas (Midland)

D – Joe Weir (Midland)

2010 Demographics – 95.3% White (49.8% McCain)

Covers Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Midland, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and

Presque Isle Counties.

2016 – Trump 61.74%, Hillary 32.64%, won by 36,600

2014 – Snyder 56.10%, Schauer 40.89%, won by 13,200

2012 – Romney 55.36%, Obama 43.45%, won by 14,700

2006 – DeVos 47.77%, Granholm 50.72%, lost by 3000

 

If you told me 15 years ago that I’d call this district Safe R, I’d laugh in your face. It was a very difficult win in 2002 for a slightly more friendly district that some considered an upset.  2006 was a buzzsaw here as well.  I considered it a conservadem district then. I’m still tempted to call it lean R. It’s the sunrise coast and Midland. Midland is a base county for R’s outside of 2006 (only time in 50 years to go D?). Otsego County is also a base R county. Alpena, Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, and Presque Isle USED to be somewhere between light blue and base counties for D’s, especially downticket and in off years (state workers). 2010 realigned North Michigan more than any other area in the state, if not the country. One of the few 2012 bright spots was Romney flipping stubbornly D Alpena and Arenac. The question is if the Trump numbers here are normal. I have to believe that to see it, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see this consistently in the high 50’s with numbers slightly better than Snyder’s long term. Breaking 60% in Alpena, Arenac, and Presque Isle County I don’t see consistently with candidates not named Trump.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-37 – Safe R (61.08% for Schmidt) Schmidt has another term.

Candidates:

R –  Wayne Schmidt (Traverse City)

D – Jim Page (Sault Ste Marie)

2010 Demographics – 89% White, 51% McCain

Covers Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Luce, and Mackinac Counties

2016 – Trump 57.55%, Hillary 36.64%, won by 28,500

2014 – Snyder 57.73%, Schauer 39.51%, won by 17,000

2012 – Romney 56.10%, Obama 42.68%, won by 17,500

2006 – DeVos 49.77%, Granholm 48.61%, won by 1222

This district is now Safe R due to the trends in the UP and the growth in lower northern Michigan. One danger to keep an eye on is Traverse City. It’s a blue area in this otherwise red district. If the blue goes to the suburbs (it hasn’t, yet), then the state rep district there could be trouble in the future. It’ll take awhile for that to cause problems in the Senate, unless Petoskey follows in TC’s footsteps, and/or the UP counties revert back to their D roots.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Strong Republican

SD-38 – Tossup (61.68% for Casperson) (Tossup tilt D)

Candidates:

R – Ed McBroom (Vulcan)

D – Scott Dianda (Calumet)

2010 Demographics – 92.8% White, 52.7% Obama 08

Covers Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keewenaw, Marquette, Menominee

Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft in the UP

2016 – Trump 55.57%, Hillary 38.57%, won by 20,600

2014 – Snyder 49.94%, Schauer 47.59%, won by 1940

2012 – Romney 50.27%, Obama 48.37%, won by 2270

2006 – DeVos 38.93%, Granholm 59.56%, lost by 19,500

This is a traditionally democrat district moving in our direction. Until Tom Casperson took in 2010, it’s been D for probably 50 years or more.  Despite the movement, I have this as tossup  for two reasons. Reason 1 is Marquette. Reason 2 is the D’s are running their best candidate in Scott Dianda, an old school yooper pro 2nd Amendment democrat who has a lot of independent appeal.

All of these counties used to lean D outside of sometimes Houghton and Dickinson which often, but not always voted Republican. Today the D strongholds is Marquette, and to a lesser extent Gogebic County (even though Trump won it). Alger and Iron Counties I’d consider swing counties today, with the rest tilt R, but winnable for the right D. Also keep in mind that the UP is more D on the state level than the federal level due to government workers, in particular police, corrections, and DNR. This is going to be a difficult defense with Dianda, but McBroom has a good geographic advantage as well if he’s the nominee.

Update – Gongwer Rating – Tossup

Updating Analysis – I’m at tossup with tilt D at this point with what I’m hearing. I’m not ready to go lean, but I see the odds favoring Dianda. I’d rather see this up with Trump on the ballot. It is what it is, and I’m not counting McBroom out.

Updated 10-28-18 – This is my toughest call along with the 34th. McBroom is improving from what I heard and comes from the right part of the district. Midterms in the UP are tougher than POTUS elections however. State workers often go State D/Federal R. I don’t expect any R to get Trump numbers in the Ironwood area. Dianda runs hard as a “local dem” in a “local dem” seat. It’s worth a fight, but I think we lose four seats with this being number 4.


Overall 10-28 – I expect the D’s to take 4 seats. Two lean D’s and two tossups. That would be a 23-15 map. I’ve heard the D’s will be happy with 21-17 or 22-16 as their best case. I think the four they win are 13, 20, 29, 38. Seats 5 and 6 I think would be 34 (expect anything) and 10 in that order, although I’m almost inclined to move 10 to lean R due to top of the ticket, but I can’t. Yanez is a fireman and won a tough on paper state rep seat. I think he’ll run ahead of top of the ticket R’s there, in a county with a tradition of that (Macomb).  MacDonald is getting help there, an needs it.

If the D’s take both lean d pickups and four tossups (my rating) it’s a 21R-17D Map.  The D’s would have to take 2 more lean R seats for the tie which would have the next Lt Gov break the tie. Most of the hype I hear is in the 7th and the 12th. I think candidate quality keeps those, as well as the 15th (Runestad), 24th (Barrett), and 32nd (Horn). The 31st is a darkhorse as well. I think the 17th is done.

 

 

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