The 2014 United States Senate election in Michigan was held on November 4, 2014, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Michigan, concurrently with the election of the governor of Michigan, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.
Incumbent Democratic Senator Carl Levin decided to retire instead of running for re-election to a seventh term. Primary contests took place on August 5, 2014, with U.S. Representative Gary Peters and former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land unopposed on the Democratic and Republican primary ballots, respectively.[1] Peters defeated Land in the general election, becoming the only freshman Democratic senator in the 114th Congress. This was the first open seat election in Michigan since 1994 and the first on this seat since 1918.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Failed to qualify
- Terry Whitney, technology executive[1][3][4]
Declined
- Shane Battier, National Basketball Association player[5]
- Jocelyn Benson, Dean of Wayne State University Law School and nominee for Michigan Secretary of State in 2010[6][7]
- Virgil Bernero, Mayor of Lansing and nominee for Governor in 2010[8]
- Mark Bernstein, attorney and Regent of the University of Michigan[9]
- James Blanchard, former governor of Michigan[10]
- Debbie Dingell, chairman of the Wayne State University board of governors and wife of U.S. Representative John Dingell (running for MI-12)[11]
- Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan[12]
- Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative[13]
- Carl Levin, incumbent U.S. Senator[14][15]
- Sander Levin, U.S. Representative and Carl Levin's brother[16]
- Gretchen Whitmer, Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate[17]
Endorsements
Gary Peters
- Politicians
- Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan[18]
- Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive[19]
- Dan Kildee, U.S. Representative (MI-05)[20]
- Carl Levin, U.S. Senator (D-MI)[21]
- Anthony Marrocco, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner[19]
- Carmella Sabaugh, Macomb County Clerk[19]
- Eric Smith, Macomb County Prosecutor[19]
- Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator (D-MI)[21]
- Ted Wahby, Macomb County Treasurer[19]
- Anthony Wickersham, Macomb County Sheriff[19]
- Newspapers and other media
- Organizations
Polling
Results
Republican primary
After Terri Lynn Land declared her candidacy in June 2013, Republicans attempted to recruit U.S. Representative Dave Camp and Oakland County District Court Judge Kimberly Small to run instead.[30] Camp, after earlier having said that he was not interested in running, reconsidered it, and Land indicated that she would consider dropping out if Camp decided to run.[31] Republicans were initially reluctant to rally around Land,[32][33] but after Camp and Small declined to run, other Republicans like U.S. Representative Justin Amash and Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra also said no, and a late attempt to convince cardiologist Rob Steele to run failed, Land emerged as the de facto nominee.[33]
Candidates
Declared
Withdrew
- Matthew Wiedenhoeft, businessman and former minor league hockey player and coach (running for the state house)[3][35]
Declined
- Justin Amash, U.S. Representative[36]
- Saul Anuzis, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party[37]
- Dave Brandon, University of Michigan Athletic Director[38]
- Brian Calley, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan[39]
- Dave Camp, U.S. Representative[40]
- Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General[10]
- Betsy DeVos, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party[41]
- Dick DeVos, businessman and nominee for Governor in 2006[41]
- Clark Durant, charter school advocate and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1990 and 2012[10]
- Kurt Dykstra, Mayor of Holland[42]
- John Engler, former governor of Michigan[43]
- Pete Hoekstra, former U.S. Representative and 2012 Senate nominee[44]
- Ruth Johnson, Michigan Secretary of State[45]
- Roger Kahn, state senator[46]
- Pete Lund, Majority Whip of the Michigan House of Representatives[45]
- Ronna McDaniel, Republican National Committeewoman and member of the Romney family[47]
- Candice Miller, U.S. Representative[10][48]
- Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan[49]
- Andrea Fischer Newman, Regent of the University of Michigan[50]
- John Rakolta, businessman[51]
- Randy Richardville, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate[49][52]
- Mike Rogers, U.S. Representative[53]
- Scott Romney, former member of the Michigan State University board of trustees, candidate for Attorney General of Michigan in 1998 and member of the Romney family[54]
- Bill Schuette, Michigan Attorney General[6][10]
- Kimberly Small, judge on Michigan's 48th District Court[55]
- Rob Steele, cardiologist[56]
Endorsements
Polling
Results
Minor parties
Libertarian Party
- Robert James "Jim" Fulner[64][65]
U.S. Taxpayers Party
Green Party
Independents
Candidates
Declared
- Jeff Jones, retired financial services industry worker and pastor[68]
- Paul Marineau, attorney and former mayor pro tem of Douglas[69]
General election
Campaign
Early on, the open seat was considered to be competitive. However, various missteps by the Land campaign[70] as well as Land's reluctance to appear in public after suffering a meltdown in front of the media in May,[71][72] weighed down the Land campaign, allowing Peters to open up a consistent lead in the polls beginning in September. The Republican establishment effectively gave up on Land's campaign the following month.[73][74]
Debates
Peters agreed to four debates; Land did not respond to invitations.[75] Negotiations between the Land and Peters campaigns broke down over the format of proposed debates between the two candidates.[76]
Predictions
Polling
Hypothetical polling
- With Dingell
- With Granholm
- With Levin
- With LOLGOP
- With Peters
Results
Peters was declared the winner right when the polls closed in Michigan.
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
By congressional district
Peters won 9 of 14 congressional districts, including four that elected Republicans.[90]
Post-election
Land ended up paying a fee of $66,000 to the Federal Election Commission for a violation of the Federal Election Campaign Act related to the 2014 campaign.[91][92]
Peters would run again in 2020 to retain the Senate seat he won,[93] while Land would go on to win a seat on the Board of Governors for Wayne State University in the same year.[94]
See also
References
- ^ a b "2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing". Miboecfr.nictusa.com. July 21, 2014. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ Todd Spangler (May 1, 2013). "Congressman Gary Peters to run for retiring Sen. Carl Levin's seat in 2014". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
- ^ a b Jonathan Oosting (January 12, 2014). "Fringe candidates: Meet Michigan's little-known hopefuls for governor, U.S. Senate". MLive. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
- ^ "FEC Disclosure Form 2 for Terry Ray Whitney" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. September 23, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
- ^ Lowe, Zach (May 27, 2014). "We Went There: Thoughts From Miami". Grantland. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ a b Kyle Trygstad (March 7, 2013). "Michigan: Levin Announces He Will Retire in '14". Roll Call.
- ^ Livingston, Abby (December 3, 2013). "Democrats Lose Top Recruit to Challenge Bentivolio (Updated)". Roll Call. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ Wittrock, Angela (March 20, 2013). "Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero won't run for governor, Senate or Congress in 2014". MLive.com. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
- ^ "Mark Bernstein Facebook". Facebook.
- ^ a b c d e Chad Livengood & Marisa Schultz (March 8, 2013). "Peters 'considering' run for Levin's seat as 5 GOP members drop out". The Detroit News.
- ^ "Debbie Dingell won't run for Sen. Carl Levin's seat". Detroit Free Press. April 20, 2013. Retrieved April 23, 2013.
- ^ Livingston, Abby (March 22, 2013). "Michigan: Granholm Won't Run for Open Senate Seat". Roll Call. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2013.
- ^ "Rep. Kildee won't run for Levin's U.S. Senate seat in 2014". The Detroit News. Associated Press. April 12, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
- ^ "Carl Levin retires". March 7, 2013.
- ^ Todd Spangler (March 7, 2013). "Sen. Carl Levin, 78, powerful voice for Michigan, won't run for re-election". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ James Hohmann (March 7, 2013). "Michigan Sen. Carl Levin to retire". Politico.
- ^ "Levin vacancy may draw high-profile people from both parties". The Detroit News. March 8, 2013.
- ^ Joseph, Cameron (September 9, 2013). "Jennifer Granholm endorses Gary Peters in Michigan". The Hill.
- ^ a b c d e f Selweski, Chad (July 25, 2013). "Hackel, 'Big Five' back Peters for Senate". The Macomb Daily.
- ^ Schuch, Sarah (May 2, 2013). "Congressman Dan Kildee endorses fellow Democrat for Senate in U.S. Rep. Gary Peters' first 'Listening Tour' stop in Flint". mlive.com.
- ^ a b Todd Spangler (May 23, 2013). "Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow endorse Gary Peters for U.S. Senate seat". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ "Free Press Endorsement: Peters for Senate". Freep.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Peters our choice for U.S. Senate". DetroitNews.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Editorial: Vote Gary Peters for U.S. Senate". LansingStateJournal.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "MLive Media Group: Gary Peters for U.S. Senate". MLive.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Editorial: Peters clear choice for Senate". Record-Eagle.com. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ Anderson, Heather (May 17, 2013). "Michigan League Endorses Peters for Levin's Senate Seat". Credit Union Times.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (July 18, 2013). "Sierra Club endorses U.S. Rep Gary Peters for U.S. Senate". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ a b "Official Election Results Primary Election August 5, 2014". Michigan Department of State. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Dave Camp weighing Michigan Senate bid". Politico. July 31, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ "Would Dave Camp Clear the Senate GOP Field? #MISEN". Roll Call. July 31, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ "New Pure PAC calls Peters 'Pure Washington' in first U.S. Senate ad". Crains Detroit. September 19, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Republicans Are Losing Faith in Their Michigan Senate Candidate". National Journal. August 6, 2014. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- ^ Aaron Blake (June 3, 2013). "Terri Lynn Land running for Michigan Senate seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
- ^ Goodell, Andrea (March 15, 2014). "89th District: Matt Wiedenhoeft to challenge Rep. Amanda Price". The Holland Sentinel. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ Alberta, Tim (September 17, 2013). "Justin Amash Will Not Run For Michigan Senate". National Journal. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
- ^ "Off the Record | September 6, 2013 | #4311". WKAR. September 6, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ Nick Baumgardner (April 26, 2013). "Dave Brandon refutes Senate speculation again, says he's 'very proud' to be Michigan's AD". MLive.com. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
- ^ Abby Livingston (March 8, 2013). "Michigan: Anuzis Mulling Senate Bid as More Republicans Opt Out". Roll Call.
- ^ Gold, Hadas (August 16, 2013). "Dave Camp not running for Carl Levin's seat". Politico. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ a b "DeVos". March 8, 2013.
- ^ Fritz Klug (September 6, 2013). "U.S. Senate Update: Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra will not run; Terri Lynn Land uses Syria to raise money". MLive.com.
- ^ Kathleen Gray and Dave Egan (March 7, 2013). "Who will fill Levin's seat? Rare Senate opening to draw frenzied field". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ Zane McMillin (August 21, 2013). "Pete Hoekstra, trounced in 2012 Senate race, endorses Terri Lynn Land's bid". MLive.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ a b James Hohmann and Jonathan Martin (March 8, 2013). "Michigan Republican Pete Lund Eyes Carl Levin's Seat". Politico. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
- ^ Egan, Paul (June 27, 2012). "Republican state senator considering a 2014 challenge to Carl Levin". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ Schultz, Marisa (April 2, 2013). "Mitt Romney's niece, Ronna, won't run for Levin's Senate seat". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
- ^ Todd Spangler (March 8, 2013). "U.S. Rep. Candice Miller says she will not seek Levin's seat". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ a b Klug, Fritz (May 22, 2013). "U.S. Senate Update: Jim Murray out of running; Republicans advise Mike Rogers to pick Senate over F.B.I." MLive.com.
- ^ "Off to the races: Lots of potential names to replace Levin". NBC News. March 8, 2013.
- ^ Wilson, Reid (April 29, 2013). "Gary Peters To Announce Senate Bid". National Journal. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ Spalding, Connor (April 25, 2013). "Interview with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville". Michigan Policy Network.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (June 14, 2013). "U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers won't run for Senate seat". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
- ^ Todd Spangler (March 12, 2013). "Mitt Romney's brother G. Scott Romney won't run for Levin's seat". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ "Judge Kimberly Small declines to run for US Senate". My Fox Detroit. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
- ^ Schultz, Marissa (November 1, 2013). "Steele decided not to challenge Land for GOP Senate nomination". Detroit News. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
- ^ "Lt. Gov. Calley to GOP: Back Land for Senate". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ McMillin, Zane (August 21, 2013). "Pete Hoekstra, trounced in 2012 Senate race, endorses Terri Lynn Land's bid". MLive. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ Cahn, Emily (August 20, 2013). "GOP Congresswoman Endorses in Michigan Senate Race". Roll Call. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
- ^ Montilla, Rob. "Terri Lynn Land is Best Choice to Represent Republicans in 2014 Senate Race". Retrieved August 21, 2013.
- ^ "Rick Santorum and Patriot Voices PAC Announce Endorsements in Four Key U.S. Senate Races". Patriot Voices. April 22, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
- ^ "GOProud's 2014 Endorsements". GOProud.org. Archived from the original on February 4, 2011. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Michigan's future looks bright with Terri Lynn Land for U.S. Senate". Right to Life Michigan. Archived from the original on May 31, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2014.
- ^ "FEC Disclosure Form 2 for Robert James Fulner" (PDF). Federal Election Commission. September 23, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 20, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
- ^ "Jim Fulner will seek Libertarian Party of Michigan's nomination for U.S. Senate". Independent Political Report. September 9, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
- ^ a b "2014 Unofficial Michigan General Candidate Listing". Miboecfr.nictusa.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ Bowman, Jennifer (January 8, 2014). "Enbridge protester says he'll run for U.S. Senate". Battle Creek Enquirer. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
- ^ Komer, David (April 19, 2014). "Taylor independent running for U.S. Senate seat". The News-Herald. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
- ^ "Douglas resident Marineau seeks U.S. Senate seat". Allegan County News. February 12, 2014. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
- ^ "REPUBLICANS: Campaign stumbles helped sink Land amid GOP wave". CrainsDetroit.com. November 7, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ Bobic, Igor (May 29, 2014). "GOP Senate Candidate Terri Lynn Land Overwhelmed By Reporters: 'I Can't Do This'". Retrieved October 28, 2017 – via Huff Post.
- ^ "Tim Skubick: Terri Lynn Land's campaign may have started faltering way back in May". MLive.com. October 12, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Meet the Republican Even the GOP Hates". ABC News. October 17, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "Senate Races 2014: Why Michigan Never Became Iowa". Roll Call. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
- ^ "With empty chair representing Terri Lynn Land, Gary Peters calls for debates in Senate race". MLive.com. September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
- ^ "Negotiations end for proposed U.S. Senate debate between Land & Peters on WXYZ and WOOD-TV - WXYZ.com". Archived from the original on October 10, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Senate Race Ratings for November 3, 2014". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "2014 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "2014 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2014". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ Jim Fulner (L) 4%, Richard Matkin (TP) 2%, Chris Wahmhof (G) 1%
- ^ Jim Fulner (L) 3%, Richard Matkin (TP) 2%, Chris Wahmhof (G) 1%
- ^ Jim Fulner (L) 3%, Richard Matkin (TP) 2%, Chris Wahmhof (G) 3%
- ^ Jim Fulner (L) 5%, Richard Matkin (TP) 2%, Chris Wahmhof (G) 3%
- ^ a b Jim Fulner (L) 3%, Richard Matkin (TP) 1%, Chris Wahmhof (G) 1%
- ^ Jim Fullner (L) 1%, Richard Matkin (TP) 1%, Chris Wahmhoff (G) 2%
- ^ a b c d Jim Fullner (L) 2%, Richard Matkin (TP) 1%, Chris Wahmhoff (G) 1%
- ^ Jim Fullner (L) 3%, Richard Matkin (TP) 1%, Chris Wahmhoff (G) 1%
- ^ "2014 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/04/2014".
- ^ "Daily Kos".
- ^ Former Michigan secretary of state, husband agree to pay $66K fine Detroit Free Press
- ^ MUR 6860 (Teiri Lynn Land, et al.) Conciliation Agreement Federal Election Commission
- ^ Michigan’s U.S. Senate candidates evade primary challenge, setting up Peters, James matchup in November MLive
- ^ University boards: Dems, GOP split seats at MSU, UM, WSU Detroit News
External links
- Official campaign websites (Archived)
- Jim Fulner for U. S. Senate
- Jeff Jones for U.S. Senate
- Terri Lynn Land for U.S. Senate
- Paul Marineau for U.S. Senate
- Gary Peters for U.S. Senate
- Terry Whitney for U. S. Senate