Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Snyder cruised
to victory over Democratic challenger Mark Schauer, ultimately winning a second
four-year term by a margin of 51 percent to 47 percent with alternative party
candidates taking the other 2 percent. Although nowhere near the 58 percent to
39 percent trouncing of 2010, the 4-point margin was higher than anticipated.
The results indicated that Governor Snyder lost some of the crossover
Democratic vote he enjoyed in 2010; however, the combination of Republicans,
independents, and a low turnout was enough. Democratic challenger Mark Schauer
and the Democratic Party insisted that their message would motivate Democratic
voters to turnout in higher numbers than previous non-Presidential election
years; however, that was not the case. Tuesday night’s final numbers were just
under 3.2 million voters – 2010 had almost 3.3 million.
The Governor’s late push on issue-oriented
messaging and decisive action on the City of Detroit’s financial woes and
bankruptcy appear to be key reasons he carried Oakland County by 13 percentage
points and Macomb County by 10 points.