Without a doubt, Republicans have dominated most of Michigan politics in modern times. They’ve held the governor’s mansion for 40 of the last 56 years, and have total control of the legislature. They have nine congressmen to the Democrats’ five.
But when it comes to U.S. Senate races, they have been an abysmal failure. Since 1972, when GOP U.S. Senator Bob Griffin held off a reelection challenge from Michigan Attorney General Frank Kelley, there have been 14 races for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.
The score? Democrats 13, Republicans 1.
The tally includes six victories by Carl Levin, three each for Don Riegle and Debbie Stabenow, and one by freshman Democrat Gary Peters. The GOP’s lone triumph came in the Republican avalanche year of 1994, when Spencer Abraham won an open seat.
Six years later, he was tossed out of office by Debbie Stabenow, who is running for a fourth term. Republicans are, of course, claiming this will be the year they defeat her.
In politics, you never say never. But … she has a war chest of $15 million, has always been popular, and will be facing one of two rivals — John James or Sandy Pensler — who have not held office before and are largely unknown. Six years ago, Stabenow won by almost a million votes. Betting heavily against her might be unwise.
