Michigan Secretary of State election, 2010
The Michigan Secretary of State election of 2010 was held on November 2, 2010. Term limit laws prevented incumbent Republican Terri Lynn Land from seeking a third term in office, and there were several candidates eager to take her place.
Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican Ruth Johnson were both nominated by their respective parties at their fall state conventions. The two were joined by in the general election by three third-party candidates: John LaPietra (Green Party), Robert Gale (U.S. Taxpayers party), and Scotty Boman (Libertarian). Ultimately, Johnson won the seat with 50.7% of the vote.
Background
With Michigan state term limit laws preventing her from running for Secretary of State for a third term, incumbent Terri Lynn Land announced in February 2009 that she was forming an exploratory committee to run for Governor of Michigan in 2010.[1] Four months later, Land bowed out of the race and threw her support behind Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.[2] In September, Bouchard named her as his running mate.[3]
General election
Results
| 2010 Race for Attorney General - General Election[4] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Republican Party |  Ruth Johnson
|
50.7% | |
| Democratic Party | Jocelyn Benson | 45.2% | |
| Libertarian Party | Scotty Boman | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Taxpayers | Robert Gale | 1.3% | |
| Green Party | John A. La Pietra | 1.0% | |
| Total Votes | 3,173,248 | ||
Endorsements
- Communications Workers of America (CWA)[5]
- Democracy for America[6]
- Detroit Free Press, local newspaper[7][8]
- EMILY's List
- Grand Rapids Press, local newspaper[9][10]
- Justice Caucus[11]
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) and Allies Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party[12]
- Michigan AFL-CIO[13]
- Michigan League of Conservation Voters[14]
- Michigan National Organization for Women (NOW) PAC[15]
- Secretary of State Project[16]
- Adrian Daily Telegram, local newspaper[17]
- Citizens for Traditional Values (CTV)[18]
- Detroit News, local newspaper[19]
- Independence Caucus[20]
- Lansing State Journal, local newspaper[21]
- Michigan Chamber of Commerce[22]
- Michigan Farm Bureau[23]
- Midland Daily News, local newspaper[24]
- Oakland Press, local newspaper[25]
- Right to Life Michigan[26]
Debate
October 8th - WKAR-TV
Tim Skubick, 6 News Capitol Correspondent and host of public television's "Off the Record" program, moderated the first (and quite possibly only) debate between the two major party candidates in the secretary of state contest - Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican Ruth Johnson - located at the WKAR TV station in East Lansing on Friday, October 8th.
Click here to view the entire debate
Polling
Glengariff Group Poll
Glengariff Group Inc. surveyed 600 likely voters from across Michigan between September 7 and 8, 2010.[27]
| Glengariff Group Poll - September 7 – 8, 2010[28] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
 Ruth Johnson (R)
|
43.5% | |||
| Jocelyn Benson (D) | 31.3% | |||
| Undecided | 24.2% | |||
| Total voters | 600 | |||
Public Policy Poll
Public Policy Polling surveyed 497 likely Michigan voters from across the state between September 17 and 19, 2010.[29]
| Public Policy Poll - September 17 – 19, 2010[30] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
| Ruth Johnson (R)
|
39% | |||
| Jocelyn Benson (D) | 30% | |||
| Undecided | 31% | |||
| Total voters | 497 | |||
FMWA Poll
Foster McCollum White and Associates and Baydoun Consulting surveyed 2,282 likely voters by telephone on October 7, 2010.[31]
| FMWA Poll - October 7, 2010[32] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
| Ruth Johnson (R)
|
52.9% | |||
| Jocelyn Benson (D) | 46.7% | |||
| Total voters | 2,282 | |||
Conventions
Michigan does not hold primary elections for the office of secretary of state. Instead, the two main political parties hold conventions during which they nominate candidates for the general election.
Democratic party
Candidate
- Full time Assistant Professor of Law at Wayne State University Law School Jocelyn Benson[33]
Finances
According to the Michigan Department of State, as of August 18, 2010, the following was the breakdown of campaign finances for Benson:
| Jocelyn Benson Campaign Finance Reports | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Contributions | In-Kind [34] | Other Sources | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | |
| January 1 - August 13, 2010[35] | August 18, 2010 | $207,306.08 | $311,331.27 | $8,298.48 | $0.00 | $106,505.01 | $412,132.34 | |
| January 1 - December 31, 2009[36] | February 1, 2010 | $0.00 | $227,758.60 | $22,482.73 | $0.00 | $20,452.52 | $207,306.08 | |
Republican party
Candidates
- State Senator Cameron Brown[37]
- Calhoun County Clerk Anne Norlander[38]
- Former State Representative Judy Emmons[39]
- State Representative Paul Scott[40]
- Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson[41] (Received endorsement of Michigan Republican Party)[42]
- State Senator Michelle McManus[43]
Endorsements
- Terri Lynn Land, Michigan Secretary of State and former candidate for Lieutenant Governor[44]
Finances
According to the Michigan Department of State, as of August 17, 2010, the following was the breakdown of campaign finances for each of the candidates:
| Cameron Brown Campaign Finance Reports | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Contributions | In-Kind [34] | Other Sources | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | |
| January 1 - August 12, 2010[45] | August 17, 2010 | $67,568.55 | $129,111.56 | $1,180.00 | $0.00 | $77,089.30 | $119,590.81 | |
| January 1 - December 31, 2009[46] | February 1, 2010 | $0.00 | $98,799.50 | $12.49 | $0.00 | $31,230.95 | $67,568.55 | |
| December 1 - December 31, 2008[47] | February 1, 2009 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | |
| Ruth Johnson Campaign Finance Reports | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Contributions | In-Kind [34] | Other Sources | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | |
| November 8, 2006 - August 12, 2010[48] | August 16, 2010 | $0.00 | $174,213.32 | $11,917.79 | $0.00 | $26,253.61 | $147,959.71 | |
| Michelle McManus Campaign Finance Reports | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Contributions | In-Kind [34] | Other Sources | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | |
| January 1 - August 12, 2010[49] | August 17, 2010 | $43,449.87 | $96,645.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $82,006.33 | $58,088.54 | |
| January 1 - December 31, 2009[50] | February 1, 2010 | $0.00 | $100,295.50 | $1,895.20 | $0.00 | $56,845.63 | $43,449.87 | |
| Anne Norlander Campaign Finance Reports | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Contributions | In-Kind [34] | Other Sources | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | |
| January 1 - August 12, 2010[51] | August 17, 2010 | $69,871.50 | $95,581.41 | $15,953.74 | $0.00 | $55,162.08 | $110,290.83 | |
| January 1 - December 31, 2009[52] | February 1, 2010 | $2,562.80 | $124,732.63 | $40,471.72 | $0.00 | $57,423.93 | $69,871.50 | |
| February 29 - December 31, 2008[53] | January 23, 2009 | $0.00 | $3,250.80 | $1,145.76 | $0.00 | $688.00 | $2,562.80 | |
| Paul Scott Campaign Finance Reports | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Contributions | In-Kind [34] | Other Sources | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | |
| January 1 - August 12, 2010[54] | August 17, 2010 | $0.00 | $103,164.78 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $60,650.71 | $42,514.07 | |
Polling
Glengariff Group Poll
Glengariff Group Inc., a strategic planning and marketing research company based out of Chicago, surveyed 500 likely Republican primary voters from across the state between July 12 and 13, 2010. Though the nominee for secretary of state is selected during the state party convention, polling data showed that if left to the voters to decide, State Senator Michelle McManus would have a slight advantage over her primary opponents.
| Glengariff Group Poll - July 12 – 13, 2010[55] | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Percentage | |||
| Michelle McManus (R)
|
9.4% | |||
| Cameron Brown (R) | 7.6% | |||
| Paul Scott (R) | 5.2% | |||
| Ruth Johnson (R) | 4.4% | |||
| Anne Norlander (R) | 2.2% | |||
| Undecided | 71.2% | |||
| Total voters | 500 | |||
Other candidates
- Scotty Boman (Libertarian)
- John Anthony La Pietra Green Party
- Robert Gale (U.S. Taxpayers)
Noteworthy events
False Tea Party
Some conservatives and libertarians in Michigan accused a newly formed political party of using the title "TEA Party," the name given to recent conservative/libertarian political activists, under false pretenses. The Republican Michigander said that "the actual tea party movement isn't a real political party. It's a loose-knit group of conservative and libertarian activists who are irate at the spending, taxes, TARP, and other big government leftism that has gone on for the past six years."[56] Furthermore, some of the twenty-three candidates the party nominated for various races in November 2010 had "donated to either democratic candidates/causes or to union PACs;" none of their contributions had been to Republican/conservative candidates or causes.[57] Conservative commentators contended that this was an attempt by liberal activists to confuse voters and siphon off two or three percent of the ballots cast in order to keep Democratic candidates in office.
Secretary of State Project
- See also: Secretary of State Project
Benson received the endorsement of the Secretary of State Project (SOS Project), a 527 political organization who described their purpose as "wrestling control of the country from the Republican Party" through the process of "removing their political operatives from deciding who can vote and whose votes will count," namely the office of secretary of state in many cases.[58][59] The SOS Project received funding from the George Soros-backed Democracy Alliance.[60]
Transgender driver licenses
When Scott announced that he was entering the race for secretary of state in 2010, he said that he would try to make sure that "transgender individuals will not be allowed to change the sex on their driver’s license in any circumstance."[61][62][63][64]
A transgender activist said, “Representative Scott’s remarks indicate that he is not fit to serve the people of Michigan in this position."[61] And Scott's opponent, Jocelyn Benson, said, “I don’t mean to minimize this issue as unimportant. I am more frustrated that this is being done to take a volatile issue and drive a debate in a way that energized a base. That it is just sort of more an attempt towards extremist issues.”[61]
Then-president of the American Family Association of Michigan (AFAM) Gary Glenn said that Scott did not pick "this issue out of thin air. ... the ACLU has for years tried to pressure the Secretary of State to officially certify a 'transgender' male who has not had so-called 'sex change' surgery as 'female.'"[65]
External links
General Election candidates
- Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State Campaign website
- Jocelyn Benson for Secretary of State Campaign website
- Scotty Boman for Secretary of State Campaign website (dead link)
- John Anthony La Pietra for Secretary of State Campaign website
Former candidates
- Cameron Brown for Secretary of State Campaign website
- Michelle McManus for Secretary of State Campaign website
- Anne Norlander for Secretary of State Campaign website
- Paul Scott for Secretary of State Campaign website
Footnotes
- ↑ WILX "Land to Run for Governor" 19 Feb. 2009
- ↑ Daily Tribune, "Land bows out of governor’s race; throws support to Bouchard" 25 June, 2009
- ↑ WZZM 13 "Bouchard names Land running mate in Gov. race" 16 Sept. 2009
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Communication Workers of America - Endorsements
- ↑ Michigan Liberal, "Democracy for America is backing Jocelyn Benson!" 24 Feb. 2010
- ↑ The Detroit Free Press, "Editorial: Jocelyn Benson for secretary of state" 17 Oct. 2010
- ↑ The Blog Prof, "Detroit Free Press endorses Jocelyn Benson (D-ACORN, SEIU) to steal Michigan elections for Democrats" 17 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Grand Rapids Press, "Editorial: Why to vote for Bill Schuette for attorney general, Jocelyn Benson for secretary of state" 24 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Michigan Liberal, "WHOA - Grand Rapids Press endorses Jocelyn Benson!" 24 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Justice 4 Michigan - Jocelyn Benson Endorsed for Secretary of State
- ↑ Michigan Democratic Party LGBT Caucus, "LGBT Caucus Endorses Jocelyn Benson for 2010 Secretary of State Race" 10 June, 2010
- ↑ AFL-CIO - 2010 Endorsements
- ↑ Michigan League of Conservation Voters, "Jocelyn Benson is our First Endorsement for Michigan Sec. of State" 25 Oct. 2010
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Michigan NOW PAC backs Bernero, Benson, urges 'no' on con-con" 28 Sept. 2010 (dead link)
- ↑ Secretary of State Project - 2010 races
- ↑ Adrian Daily Telegram, "Our View: Ruth Johnson is well suited to be next secretary of state" 25 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Citizens for Traditional Values - 2010 General Endorsements
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Editorial: Elect Ruth Johnson for secretary of state" 8 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Right Michigan, "BREAKING: Independence Caucus Endorsement for Michigan S.O.S." 25 Aug. 2010
- ↑ Lansing State Journal, "Johnson touted for secretary of state" 18 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Michigan Chamber of Commerce - 2010 Candidate Endorsements
- ↑ Michigan Farm Bureau - 2010 General Election Endorsements
- ↑ Midland Daily News, "Our view: Johnson picked for secretary of state post" 26 Oct. 2010
- ↑ The Oakland Press, "Editorial: No doubt Johnson and Schuette are best" 6 Oct. 2010
- ↑ Life News, "Michigan Pro-Life Group Backs Attorney General, Secretary of State Candidates" 13 Sept. 2010
- ↑ The Michigan Messenger, "Poll: GOP leads key state races" 10 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Glengariff Group, Inc. "Michigan September 2010 General Election Survey" 9 Sept. 2010 (dead link)
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Polls show wide gap between Snyder, Bernero" 22 Sept. 2010
- ↑ Public Policy Polling, "Snyder Headed to Blowout Over Bernero for MI Gov." 21 Sept. 2010
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Poll: Snyder leading by double digits; SOS race a dead heat" 15 Oct. 2010
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Poll: Snyder leading by double digits; SOS race a dead heat" 15 Oct. 2010
- ↑ The Detroit News, "WSU professor to run for Secretary of State" 5 Oct. 2009
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 34.4 34.5 As these are not cash contributions, they are not reflected in the reported ending balance.
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Jocelyn Benson Pre-Convention Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Jocelyn Benson 2009 Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ MLive, "State Sen. Cameron Brown announces bid for secretary of state" 11 Feb. 2009
- ↑ The Michigan Messenger, "Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds is in the running for Secretary of State" 8 Jan. 2009
- ↑ The Michigan Messenger, "McManus makes run for secretary of state official" 22 July, 2009 (dead link)
- ↑ WLAJ Channel 3 "MI Rep. Paul Scott wants secretary of state nod" 18 Jan. 2010
- ↑ Crain's Detroit Business, "Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson joins secretary of state field" 23 April, 2010
- ↑ Flint Journal, "Paul Scott loses secretary of state nomination, says he's focusing on state House campaign" 28 Aug. 2010
- ↑ Right Michigan, "RightMichigan Exclusive: An Interview with 2010 Secretary of State Candidate Michelle McManus " 16 Jan. 2009
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Land endorses Brown for Michigan secretary of state" 23 Aug. 2010
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Cameron Brown Pre-Convention Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Cameron Brown 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Cameron Brown 2008 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Ruth Johnson Pre-Convention Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Michelle McManus Pre-Convention Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Michelle McManus 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Anne Norlander Pre-Convention Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Anne Norlander 2009 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Anne Norlander 2008 Annual Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ Michigan Department of State - Paul Scott Pre-Convention Campaign Contribution Disclosure Report Summary
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Support split for GOP AG hopefuls" 19 July, 2010
- ↑ Republican Michigander, "The Bullsh-t "Tea Party" (BSTP) releases their candidate list. Several are open democrats" 27 July, 2010
- ↑ Right Michigan, "Beware of artificial ingredients!" 27 July, 2010
- ↑ Secretary of State Project - 2010 Races
- ↑ San Francisco Chronicle, "Kerry reignites 2004 battle over Ohio" 1 Sep. 2006
- ↑ Discover the Networks - Democracy Alliance
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 61.2 The Michigan Messenger, "Paul Scott targets transgendered people in race for Secretary of State" 21 Jan. 2010
- ↑ eTransgender, "Paul Scott plans to make Michigan a transsexual's hell" 21 Jan. 2010
- ↑ The Bilerico Project, "Rep Paul Scott Blows Smoke on Transgender Michigan" 22 Jan. 2010
- ↑ Michigan Liberal, "Paul Scott's nutty idea" 16 Feb. 2010
- ↑ American Family Association of Michigan, "Rep. Scott didn’t pull transgender statement out of thin air; ACLU has campaigned for official IDs" 17 Feb. 2010
