KANSAS
Republican Governors Association

RGA Statement on the Kansas Gubernatorial Primary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican Governors Association issued the following statement on the outcome of the Kansas gubernatorial primary election:

“Thanks to Governor Sam Brownback’s leadership, Kansas is on the move once again,” said RGA Chairman Chris Christie. “Governor Brownback has delivered on the priorities he outlined for his first term, and he remains steadfastly committed to stimulating growth in Kansas, investing in education, getting people back to work, and putting money back in the hands of the people instead of in the hands of the government. It’s a good time to be a Kansan, and the Republican Governors Association proudly supports Governor Brownback’s re-election.”

“Kansas voters face a stark choice this November. They can re-elect Governor Brownback who will continue to work for growth, prosperity and a brighter future for the state, or choose Paul Davis, a liberal aligned with President Obama, who will advance an agenda of higher taxes, more spending, and bigger government.” said RGA Executive Director Phil Cox.

###

Democratic Governors Association

DGA Statement on Brownback’s Poor Primary Showing & His Tough Race Ahead

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, tonight issued the following statement regarding Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s poor showing in today’s Republican primary and the general election race ahead:

“Governor Brownback is in deep trouble. Running virtually unopposed in today’s primary, the governor struggled to get 60 percent of Kansas Republicans to vote for him. That’s because Kansans across the political spectrum understand that his ‘real live experiment’ has been an abject failure. They are demanding a change.

“Governor Brownback’s massive tax cuts for the wealthiest have dried up funding for schools, resulted in sluggish job growth, and forced a downgrade of the state’s bond rating. As the state has plunged into fiscal crisis, real pain has been inflicted on middle-class families who now face higher property taxes, utility rates, and college tuition because of his failed policies.

“Paul Davis is a leader who will work across party lines to restore fiscal stability, properly invest in schools, and provide tax relief to homeowners and small businesses. Republicans across the state have rallied around Paul’s candidacy because he is a leader guided by commonsense Kansas values and the highest standard of integrity. He will make an outstanding governor.”

###

National Republican Senatorial Committee
Sen. Jerry Moran

Congratulations Pat Roberts On Your Kansas Primary Victory

Congratulations to my fellow Kansan Senator Pat Roberts on his victory tonight. Senator Roberts has served as a diligent check on Democrats' push for ever expansive government and is a true conservative voice for our state.

Senator Roberts is a leader and continues to fight against the Obama Administration's vast overreach from ObamaCare to harmful regulations that limit jobs, stifle growth, and hurt American workers. I look forward to serving with Senator Roberts next year in a Republican majority that is focused on getting things done and delivering results that improve opportunity and enhance freedom for every American.
MICHIGAN
Republican Governors Association

RGA Statement on the Michigan Gubernatorial Primary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican Governors Association issued the following statement on the outcome of the Michigan gubernatorial primary election:

“Good governance is all about results and Governor Rick Snyder has absolutely delivered for Michigan,” said RGA Chairman Chris Christie. “Governor Snyder has kept his word and put big ideas to work to create more than 275,000 new private sector jobs and revive the economy, while building for the state a foundation more solid than it’s enjoyed in many years with four consecutive on-time balanced budgets. With Governor Snyder at the helm, Michigan will continue to move forward, and the Republican Governors Association proudly supports his re-election.”

“Mark Schauer’s record is clear: higher unemployment, wasteful spending, higher taxes, and support of the failed policies that led to Michigan’s lost decade,” said RGA Executive Director Phil Cox. “Voters have rejected Schauer’s out-of-touch agenda before and will do so again this November.”

Democratic Governors Association

DGA Statement on Michigan’s General Election for Governor

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, tonight issued the following statement regarding Michigan’s general election for governor:

“With the primary elections behind us, it’s clear that Mark Schauer has the momentum in the race to become Michigan’s next governor. Every day, voters are learning about Mark’s proven track record of delivering results for the middle class and his vision for an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy. They’ve also been reminded that Governor Snyder gave a $1.8 billion tax cut to companies, even if they shipped jobs overseas, and paid for it with a billion dollar cut to schools and higher taxes on seniors who have earned their retirement security. Michigan’s middle-class families need a governor who will fight for a stronger and fairer economy, and that’s what they’ll finally get in Mark Schauer.”

National Republican Senatorial Committee
Sen. Jerry Moran

Congratulations Terri Lynn Land On Your Michigan Primary Victory

Congratulations to Terri Lynn Land on her victory tonight. Michiganders are drawn to Terri Lynn Land because they know she will always put Michigan first, a stark contrast with Congressman Gary Peters who has been a loyal political ally of both Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi in the House of Representatives.

Voters have had enough of the dysfunction and incompetence that has plagued Washington on the watch of Barack Obama and Harry Reid. During his years in Washington, Gary Peters has failed to earn the trust of voters and seems more interested in promoting himself than the people of Michigan. In today's tough economic environment, voters want a results-oriented leader like Terri Lynn Land.

I look forward to serving with Senator Terri Lynn Land next year in a Republican majority that is focused on getting things done and improving lives in communities we represent.
National Republican Congressional Committee

TO: INTERESTED PARTIES

FROM: NRCC POLITICAL AND NRCC COMMUNICATIONS

DATE: AUGUST 5, 2014

SUBJECT: MICHIGAN PRIMARY RESULTS

Democrats in Michigan have had little to celebrate over the years and that trend will surely continue looking ahead to the November midterm election. Once again Democrats have been unsuccessful in recruiting top-tier candidates – from the top of the ticket on down – and Republicans head into the fall looking stronger than ever. Throughout the country President Obama and Nancy Pelosi continue to be a drag on congressional Democrats. While many chose to run away from their past support of the failed policies of the current administration, the Democrats running for Congress in Michigan are tying themselves to failed policies like ObamaCare and the toxic former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. This short-sighted move to appeal to their base will haunt them long-term as they find themselves coming up short this fall.

INCUMBENT

MI-01: Dr. Dan Benishek, R vs. Jerry Cannon, D

This district in Northern Michigan has continually leaned more Republican in the past few elections. Dr. Dan Benishek goes into the upcoming elections stronger than ever -from fundraising totals, to ground game being implemented, and with television ads already running, Dr. Dan has put himself in a position to win resoundingly this fall.

In years past, national Democrats have failed to recruit a qualified candidate to run for this seat. This year is no different with Jerry Cannon. Unfortunately for Democrats, Cannon’s candidacy and ability to raise money have been lackluster. Dr. Dan outraised Cannon in the 2nd Quarter and has a large cash on hand advantage – $942,000 to Cannon’s $336,000.

The make-up of the district also favors Republicans in the fall. President Bush carried it by substantial margins, winning with 55 percent of the vote in 2004. Despite the fact that John McCain did not compete in Michigan, Obama barely managed to edge out a victory here in 2008. Since then, the new district has become about one point more Republican in redistricting with the addition of several right-leaning areas around Traverse City. Mitt Romney won the new 1st District after redistricting by 53% to 45%.

The Democrats will surely tout Jerry Cannon as an improvement to political dud Gary McDowell of the last two cycles. The fact of the matter is, Jerry Cannon has already come out in strong support of ObamaCare which has a dismal approval ratings in the 1st District. Cannon has also touted the help he has received from Nancy Pelosi and Washington Democrats – when you couple that with his support of ObamaCare you have a lethal cocktail in a district Romney won by 8 points.

Dr. Dan’s passion has been doing what’s right and fighting for Northern Michigan families. Whether it’s sponsoring  military sexual assault legislation with Sen. Gillibrand or being a leader on the VA scandal and ensuring the necessary funding was there to improve the VA for our veterans – the doctor has been a leader in Congress and a true advocate for Northern Michigan families.

Geography: PVI: R+4; The Cook Political Report rates this race as Lean Republican and The Rothenberg Political Report rates this race as Toss Up/Tilt Republican. The district covers the Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula.

MI-07: Tim Walberg, R vs. Pam Byrnes, D

Washington political handicappers have all agreed that Michigan’s 7th Congressional District will remain in GOP hands after this fall’s election. Congressman Tim Walberg has been a strong representative of the folks in his district and has worked tirelessly to ensure their voices are heard in Washington.

Democrats have had yet another recruitment failure with Pam Byrnes who was a state legislator under Governor Jennifer Granholm and was responsible for passing some of the most unpopular bills in Michigan’s history. Byrnes voted for a $1.35 billion tax hike package, which was one of the largest in Michigan’s history, which also raised the state income tax 11.5% and expanded the 6% sales tax to 23 new services. On top of Byrnes deplorable legislative record under the unpopular Granholm, Byrnes also said she considers repealing ObamaCare a waste of time which will be unpopular in a district that Mitt Romney won in 2012.

Geography: PVI: R+3; The Cook Political Report rates this race as Likely Republican and The Rothenberg Political Report rates this race as Republican Favored. This district includes Eaton, Jackson Washtenaw, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe counties.

OPEN SEATS

MI-04: John Moolenaar, R vs. Jeff Holmes, D

Michigan’s 4th Congressional District is a solid Republican seat. Held by Congressman Dave Camp for 21 years, this district will continue to be in Republican hands with John Moolenaar.

Geography: PVI: R+5; The Cook Political Report rates this race as Solid Republican and The Rothenberg Political Report rates this race as Safe Republican.

MI-08: Mike Bishop, R vs. Eric Schertzing, D

The 8th Congressional District has been strongly in Republican hands since the election of Mike Rogers in 2000. This year will be no different with Mike Bishop on the ballot against what looks to be national Democrat’s 2nd choice candidate Eric Schertzing. The AP has yet to call the 8th District race for the Democrats.

After Barb Bynum declined to run, which was seen as a huge failure for Democrats, Pelosi’s campaign arm in Washington, D.C. was stuck with what looks to be the Democrat nominee Ingham County Treasurer Schertzing.

Mike Bishop has been a strong leader fighting for portions of this district in the state legislature and has strong name ID thanks to a statewide race in 2010. Known for his fiscal conservatism and ability to work across the aisle, Bishop will be a good fit for this district.

While Democrats will tout this as a pick-up opportunity, Bishops’ ability to raise money, his strong name recognition in the district, his endorsement from Congressman Mike Rogers and the current climate – Democrats will come up short this November.

Geography: PVI: R+4; The Cook Political Report rates this race as Lean Republican and The Rothenberg Political Report rates this race as Lean Republican. This district covers Ingham, Livingston, and parts of Oakland counties.

STATEWIDE ROUNDUP

The following are the unofficial results from Tuesday’s primary election in Michigan. These results are unofficial and incomplete..

*Indicates Winner determined by AP
MI-04 – Republican Primary
MI-04 – GOP Primary
279 of 388 Precincts Reporting – 72%
John Moolenaar* 51%
Paul Mitchell 38%
Peter Konetchy 11%
MI-08 – Republican Primary
MI-08 – GOP Primary
258 of 305 Precincts Reporting – 85%
Mike Bishop* 59%
Tom McMillen 41%
MI-08 – DEM Primary 
305 of 305 Precincts Reporting – 100%
Eric Schertzing* 43%
Susan Grettenberger 38%
Ken Darga 10%
Jeffrey Hank 10%


Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Statement from DCCC Chairman Steve Israel on MI-01

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement on the MI-01 primary:

“Congressman Dan Benishek broke his promise to protect Medicare and instead voted to force Michigan seniors to pay thousands more out of pocket so that he could give tax breaks to millionaires and big corporations. General Jerry Cannon served his country with honor and distinction, and he will fight for what’s right for Northern Michigan families.”


DCCC Statement on MI-11

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following statement today on Michigan’s 11th Congressional District:

From DCCC Executive Director Kelly Ward:

“Michigan Republicans said goodbye to Santa Claus impersonator Kerry Bentivolio and nominated a Scrooge in millionaire foreclosure baron David Trott, who profited from thousands of foreclosures on Michigan families. Millionaire David Trott’s history of profiting from the misery of Michigan families during the foreclosure crisis shows that he’s only out for himself, and is going to be a very tough sale for the voters in November.”

Statement from DCCC Chairman Steve Israel on MI-13

DCCC Chairman Steve Israel released the following statement on the MI-13 primary:

“Congratulations to Rep. Conyers for a strong showing tonight. As one of the most respected voices in Congress, Rep. Conyers will be the next Dean of the House and the Michigan delegation, and he will be able to do even more to build on his record of fighting to protect and strengthen middle class families in Michigan.”


DCCC Statement on MI-08

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued the following statement today on Michigan’s 8th Congressional District:

From DCCC spokesman Brandon Lorenz‎:

“Congratulations to Eric Schertzing on advancing to the general election. Voters will have a clear choice in November between Eric’s work with the Land Bank to help struggling families avoid foreclosure and Mike Bishop, who supports a plan to raise Medicare costs by thousands on Michigan families while cutting taxes for special interests and the ultra-wealthy.”