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---- — Once again, Michigan voters have demonstrated the power of one.
In the initial unofficial Michigan Secretary of State tally of Republican primary results in the 1st Congressional District race between Dan Benishek, a physician and political newcomer from Crystal Falls, and term-limited state Sen. Jason Allen, of Alanson, Benishek had a one-vote edge.
Each declared victory, and declared themselves "humbled" by support in the tightest GOP primary ever in the sprawling 31-county district that undoubtedly would have been won again by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, had he sought a 10th term.
Subsequently, as counties certify their returns, there have been and will be adjustments. Benishek, based on changes in Delta and Baldwin counties, Friday claimed a 13-vote lead. At day's end, Allen's camp noted "there are 29 counties to go."
Counties have until Aug. 17 to certify figures, and the State Board of Canvassers has until Aug. 23 to certify, though it could do it earlier.
Michigan periodically has been a national focus for close elections.
In 2000, now 5th-term U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, won the 8th District by 111 votes over Democrat Dianne Byrum, a fellow state senator, in the closest congressional race in the country that year.
In 1984, three-term 10th District U.S. Rep. Don Albosta, D-St. Charles, lost to Republican Bill Schuette, of Midland, by a mere 1,314 votes out of 208,586 cast. Ex-Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Schuette now seeks the GOP nomination for attorney general.
In 1950, Michigan was focus of what Life Magazine headlined "The Long Count" in an account that began:
"Five weeks after Michigan dutifully trooped to the polls and marked 1.9 million ballots to elect a governor, it found out who the governor was. First unofficial returns had indicated the winner was former Republican Gov. Harry F. Kelly, who departed, temporarily blissful, for a Florida vacation. But the final canvass showed the winner, by a microscopic 1,152 votes, (actually it was 1,154 votes) was Democratic incumbent G. Mennen ("Soapy") Williams.
"The Republicans, hoping they could invalidate an average of one Williams vote in each of Michigan's 4,361 voting precincts, demanded a recount."
But, alas, Williams' lead lengthened steadily and Republicans called off the recount. After a narrow 8,618-vote win in 1952, Williams went on to serve an unprecedented six two-year terms.
The importance of one vote? In 1976, Lawrence Merman was elected probate judge in Monroe County, 13,228 to 13,227. Other local examples abound, and an oft-cited national example is that in 1960, John F. Kennedy's margin over Richard Nixon was fewer than one vote per precinct nationwide.
History aside, how are Allen and Benishek approaching the possibility of an extended and costly recount? A candidate calling for a recount would be charged $10 a precinct, but the big cost would be legal fees. Each calculates the total cost could be about $75,000-$100,000.
If the final count as certified by the Board of Canvassers substantially exceeds 100, the losing candidate might have second thoughts about a recount, depending on which counties are most likely to be in play.
If elected, physician Benishek, who has practiced a quarter-century in Iron Mountain, obviously would have to curtail a very active practice. On Election Day, he performed eight endoscopies.
If not elected, Allen has numerous options. Allen, who before running for Congress had been on the speculation list for lieutenant governor, has as chairman of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee had numerous economic initiatives and would be a prospect for joining a Republican administration. And he's co-owner of a popular haberdashery in Traverse City.
Meanwhile, Democrats have a strong contender for Stupak's seat in term-limited Rep. Gary McDowell, of Rudyard, a retired United Parcel Service driver (32 years), executive of a family hay farming and distribution company, and former Chippewa County commissioner.
He was unopposed in the primary and proved his campaign mettle in 2004 when he won his current seat by defeating longtime and popular term-limited Sen. Walt North, R-St. Ignace.
Running mate prospects
During the primary campaign, state Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton, said he was urging his choice for governor, Attorney General Mike Cox, to pick Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, to be chair of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. I thought she would be a good choice — from west Michigan and as good an environmental champion as the Republican Senate has. Lo and behold, she emerges on a list for nominee Rick Snyder as reported by The Detroit News, which said:
"Frequently mentioned names to run with Snyder on the Republican ticket include U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, of Holland, whom Snyder defeated in Tuesday's primary, (Birkholz), Meijer Inc. President Mark Murray, former state House Speaker Paul Hillegonds, former state lawmaker Ken Sikkema, of Wyoming — and even (Democratic House Speaker Andy) Dillon, who is against abortion.
"Hoekstra could be attractive to Snyder, a moderate, because of his staunch anti-abortion stance. Snyder opposes abortion but would allow it in cases of rape or incest. Snyder was the only GOP gubernatorial candidate to support embryonic stem-cell research."
Snyder, an Ann Arbor businessman, needs someone with state Capitol savvy — but Dillon would be a turn-off for conservative Republicans already a bit apprehensive about Snyder — who is better described as a centrist than as a moderate. Hillegonds, strong on urban issues, and ex-Senate Majority Leader Sikkema, both with west Michigan roots, qualify as Capitol savvy.
So would term-limited Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who was Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard's chosen running mate in the gubernatorial primary.
Although Land was a strong plus for Bouchard, it has not worked out well for gubernatorial candidates who choose the No. 2 on their ticket before the primary. Congressman Dave Bonior tried that when he and ex-Gov. Jim Blanchard failed in their 2002 Democratic primary challenge of now-Gov. Jennifer Granholm. He picked Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith, of Salem Township, as his running mate.
She now emerges on a list of speculated mates for the Democratic nominee, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. She says she understands she's on Bernero's list but has no idea where.
According to The News, "others mentioned include state Sen. Buzz Thomas, of Detroit, Detroit City Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr. and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing."
Thomas, former House Democratic Leader, is a rising star. But please, Mr. Mayor, stay where you are and continue to do your desperately needed good works in Detroit with schools and other troubled areas.
First poll
The 12-point lead that Snyder holds over Bernero in the first publicly released poll following the primary (49 percent to 37 percent) is not as significant as the indication that Bernero has an early problem with independents and more skeptics in his own party than does Snyder.
The poll of 500 likely voters by Rasmussen Reports had 86 percent of Republicans supporting Snyder; 79 percent of Democrats supporting Bernero. It was Snyder at better than a 3-1 ratio among independents.
But it's far too early to draw conclusions. Debates, ads and good ol'' campaigning have yet to come.
Flashback
Since leaving office in 1983, ex-Gov. William G. Milliken has been involved in a number of environmental and other causes. But nothing quite like what he did Aug. 1 with Snyder in Traverse City on Snyder's final day of primary campaigning.
As Milliken describes it, after little public interest was shown in a staged photo event set up by the campaign, ex-Milliken Campaign Manager Joyce Braithwaite-Brickley swung into action.
He said she led the group down Front Street teeming with attendees at the final day of the film festival, going to assorted establishments to get permission for Snyder and the ex-governor, who endorsed him, to circulate.
It was the first time since leaving office that Milliken did anything like that.
Ex-California Gov. Jerry Brown, now attorney general, who was governor back when Milliken was in office, is running for governor again. Milliken, as zesty as his night on the street was for him, said his spikes are on the hook for good.
George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features.
