MITA score card: 69-3
In a landslide fashion, Democrats scored significant gains in Michigan, retaining the governorship with almost 60 percent of the vote and seizing control of the state House for the first time in eight years. Republicans managed to sustain a slim majority in the state Senate, 21-17, losing one seat.
On the ballot proposal front, MITA-backed efforts to defeat Proposal 5, the K-16 initiative, were impressive, as preliminary election returns showed the proposal losing by a 2-1 margin. In addition, the proposal to end racial preferences was approved by voters by significant margins.
House Democrats stunned Republicans by defeating three incumbents including Baxter (Jackson), Mortimer (Jackson) and Farhat (Muskegon) and picking up three other key Republican seats in Plymouth, Grand Rapids and the Thumb. Democrats also came close to winning strong Republican seats including Gaffney (Grosse Pointe), Hoogendyk (Kalamazoo), Law (W. Bloomfield), Robertson (Grand Blanc) and Nitz (Berrien County). Democrats cruised to victory in all their currently-held seats.
In the Senate, Republicans managed to maintain a slim majority by winning razor-thin margins in the Kahn (Saginaw), Pappageorge (Troy) and George (Kalamazoo) seats. However, Senate Democrats were not without their successes, with Representative Glenn Anderson (Westland) knocking off Republican incumbent Laura Toy (Livonia).
Complete elections results can be found by clicking here.
What do the elections mean for MITA?
MITA earned an impressive 69-3 record in which we made financial contributions, of the 148 legislative seats that were up for election, despite the significant surprises on Election Day. We anticipate that those receiving MITA contributions are the leaders that are most likely to support infrastructure investment in Michigan.
A shift in House control means new leadership and committee chairmen in that chamber. Leadership elections are expected in the weeks ahead. Because of term limits, there will also be a change in leadership in the state Senate. MITA will be working diligently to get leaders supportive of our industry to be elected to these key positions.
Now that the elections are decided, MITA is already ramping up efforts to begin working on a number of legislative initiatives for the upcoming term.
Thank you to all who have supported our efforts through MITA-PAC this election cycle.
If you have any questions please contact Mike Nystrom, Vice President of Government and Public Relations at mikenystrom@mi-ita.com; or Keith Ledbetter, Director of Legislative Affairs at keithledbetter@mi-ita.com; or by calling the MITA office at (517) 347-8336.
