Heading into the General Election, the
Republican Party had spent four years with a supermajority of 26 members in the
State Senate compared to the Democrat’s 12. Most political observers predicted
the Republicans would hold onto a significant majority heading into January,
however, would lose a seat or two to the Democrats. In one of the night’s
surprises, the Republican majority in the State Senate will grow to 27-11 when
the new Legislature takes office. Keys to this result were:
Margaret
O’Brien wins in Kalamazoo
Although the race has not yet been conceded
and a recount is potentially coming, Republican State Representative Margaret
O’Brien (R-Portage) defeated Democratic State Representative Sean McCann
(D-Kalamazoo) in the race for the newly drawn 20th Senate District.
The margin of victory appears to be roughly 60 votes. The race was the most
closely watched through the summer and fall, with Representative McCann leading
the financial battle until the Senate Republican Campaign Committee made a late
push and dedicated nearly $500,000 to the race.
Zorn
Holds-off Spade in 17th
Representative Dale Zorn (R-Ida) was able to
win Monroe County by a margin significant enough to overcome Democratic
candidate Doug Spade’s margin of victory in his home Lenawee County and take
the race. Observers had pointed to former State Representative Doug Spade’s
work ethic knocking on doors as enough to potentially take him over the top;
however, Representative Zorn ultimately won the race on a 52.5 percent to 47.5
percent total.
Horn
Handedly Defeats Oakes
In the 32nd Senate seat, held for
the last eight years by Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) despite its Democratic
base, former State Representative Ken Horn of Frankenmuth had a significant
victory over Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) taking 54 percent to
Ms. Oake’s 46 percent. The margin of victory for Mr. Horn, compared to the
Democratic-leaning base of the district, is worthy of further analysis.
Colbeck
Retains 7th District Seat
Incumbent Republican State Senator Patrick
Colbeck of Canton Township was able to hold off a stiff challenge from State
Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township) and will remain in his 7th
State Senate District seat for another four years. The Senate Republican
Campaign Committee allocated significant resources to retaining this seat
despite the well-publicized struggles between the Caucus and Senator Colbeck,
who was ultimately victorious by roughly 52 percent to Ms. Slaven’s 48 percent.