Michigan: Schuette Strong

A Mitchell Research-MIRS News Service Michigan poll (9/21-24, but released 10/11; 400 MI GOP likely voters) testing the state’s Republican electorate finds Attorney General and former US Congressman Bill Schuette (R-Midland) forging ahead of Lt. Gov. Brian Calley as the two begin their GOP primary campaign to succeed term-limited Gov. Rick Snyder (R). 
 
According to the results, Mr. Schuette has a commanding 52-13% lead for the party nomination in an election that won’t be decided until August of next year.  The eventual winner faces the Democratic primary victor, a multi-candidate battle among former state Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, ex-Detroit Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed, and four less prominent party candidates.  The Michigan Governor’s race is one of the critical redistricting gubernatorial contests that will highlight the 2018 election cycle.  It is a must-win for both parties and will likely go to toss-up status.

--Jim Ellis