Michigan's 19th District state Senate race received some extra attention on election night from national Republicans, who hope a big win by GOP state Rep. Mike Nofs, is a harbinger for the area's 2010 House race. Nofs defeated Democratic state Rep. Marty Griffin, by double digits to win the open seat previously held by Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer.
Republicans say their win in the Democratic-leaning state district, which encompasses the key counties of Calhoun and Jackson, shows that Schauer is in trouble in his first re-election bid.
Schauer won the two counties in both his successful state Senate re-election in 2006 and his upset of Republican Tim Walberg, in 2008.
"Republican Mike Nofs' decisive victory in the heart of Schauer country is a sign that Michigan voters are sick and tired of the reckless policies of Nancy Pelosi and the Granholm/Cherry administration," said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Tom Erickson. "Mark Schauer should take these results to heart and reconsider his decision to support the trillion-dollar government takeover of healthcare."
Walberg is seeking a rematch in 2010 but faces primary competition from attorney Brian Rooney, brother of Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla.
Democrats note that the 19th Senate district had been held by a Republican before Schauer. "If last night's results show us anything, it is that Congressman Schauer knows what it takes to win in Republican districts," said Democratic Congressional Campaign spokeswoman Gabby Adler. "Schauer's record, combined with his significant fundraising advantage, give him the clear advantage heading into 2010."
Schauer is set to pad his fundraising total further when he joins Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and fellow freshman Rep. Gary Peters for a fundraising breakfast hosted by the Michigan Democratic Party.
CQ Politics rates the 7th District general election contest Leans Democratic.
To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map
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Comments
An important question here is why was this seat allowed to stay vacant for so long (over 10 months!)? Some stupid state law no doubt.
Posted by: NObama
| November 5, 2009 5:35 PM
The area covered by the 7th District — which includes the city of Jackson, one of the birthplaces of the Republican Party — has had Republican representation for most of its history. But Schauer, a former state legislative Democratic leader, scored a narrow victory in the 7th District race in 2008 by riding a national tide favoring his party, and tying one-term Republican incumbent Walberg to President George W. Bush
The above, taken from the CQ interactive map indicates that Schauer's election was more in the nature of a referendum on Bush than a pre-cursor of a Democratic trend.
The GOP still is potent in this area, Schauer is facing the quintessential test of a minority party candidate: he must show that his effectiveness in representing his constituents transcends their ties to the dominant local party.
Posted by: Robert Chapman
| November 7, 2009 12:26 PM
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