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Michigan Race Becomes Very Close
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - There is no clear favourite in the Great Lake State's gubernatorial election, according to a poll by Strategic Vision. 43 per cent of respondents would vote for Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm, while 42 per cent would support Republican challenger Dick DeVos.
Granholm—a Democrat—was elected in November 2002, defeating Republican challenger Dick Posthumus with 51 per cent of the vote.
In June 2005, Dick DeVos—former chief executive officer at Alticor and husband of former state Republican chairwoman Betsy DeVos—announced he would seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Yesterday, DeVos issued a news release calling for a cap on the gasoline sales tax. The statement read, "The state doesn't need the additional excess; residents should be able to keep their hard-earned money. I am advocating an end to the windfall tax gouging of Michigan families."
Support for Granholm fell by seven points since March, while backing for DeVos increased by nine points.
The gubernatorial election is scheduled for Nov. 7. Since 1943, Michigan has had five Republican and four Democratic heads of government.
Polling Data
If the election for governor were held today, whom would you vote for Jennifer Granholm, the Democrat or Dick DeVos, the Republican?
Apr. 2006 | Mar. 2006 | Jan. 2006 | |
Jennifer Granholm (D) | 43% | 50% | 48% |
Dick DeVos (R) | 42% | 33% | 34% |
Undecided | 15% | 17% | 18% |
Source: Strategic Vision
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,200 registered Michigan voters, conducted from Apr. 17 to Apr. 19, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.