Boo ya!
http://www.wlns.com/...
The latest EPIC-MRA poll, commissioned by WLNS-TV shows Mark Schauer, democratic candidate for governor with a slight lead over incumbent Governor Rick Snyder.
This is the first poll that shows Mark Schauer, a former state lawmaker and Congressman in the lead. However, the lead is within the margin of error, which is + or – 4 percent.
The poll shows 29 percent of people asked do not recognize Mark Schauer's name. Among those asked, a total of 26 percent favor Mark Schauer and 21 percent do not favor him.
If the November general election were held today, 45 percent of people polled would vote for Mark Schauer and 43 percent for Governor Rick Snyder. Again, this is within the margin of error.
A total of 45 percent of those polled favor Governor Rick Snyder, while 46 percent view the incumbent as unfavorable. When asked how Rick Snyder is doing as governor, 57 percent of people polled do not think he's doing a good job, while 41 percent voted positively. - WLNS, 8/27/14
Here's some more info:
http://www.freep.com/...
When EPIC-MRA last polled voters, in July, 46% said they would support Snyder, 43% said they would support Schauer, and 11% were undecided or wouldn’t say.
Snyder’s lead over Schauer peaked at 9 percentage points in May. Schauer has not had a lead since April 2013, soon after the passage of controversial right-to-work legislation, when EPIC-MRA showed him ahead of Snyder 39-38.
The poll shows shifts in the last month that could be significant, said Bernie Porn, president of EPIC-MRA. Snyder’s support among Republicans has softened slightly, Schauer’s name recognition has improved sharply, and he has widened his lead over Snyder among female voters.
A bright spot for Snyder is that the poll shows he has expanded his lead among crucial Independent voters.
“I would have bet that Snyder would have a significant lead at Labor Day,” Porn said Wednesday. “The fact that Schauer is up by a couple of points against an incumbent ... probably spells that this is going to be a close race.”
Schauer, who is airing statewide TV ads and has been boosted by millions of dollars spent by the Democratic Governors Association, made a significant dent in his low name recognition in a single month. The percentage of voters who don’t recognize his name dropped 15 points since July, to 29% in August.
But Schauer’s positive and negative numbers have both increased along with the added recognition. Of those surveyed, 26% said they have a positive impression of Schauer and 21% a negative one. In July, those numbers were 21% positive and 16% negative.
Schauer’s support among Democrats – 83% – is now as strong as Snyder’s support among Republicans – 82%. In July, Snyder had 88% support among Republicans, while Schauer’s support among Democrats stood at 81%. - Detroit Free Press, 8/27/14
Schauer has been kicking ass and taking names. He's been hitting Snyder on this:
http://www.mlive.com/...
Rich Baird, a top adviser to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, may owe thousands in back taxes after inappropriately claiming a primary home exemption in both Michigan and Illinois.
Baird will immediately repay any Michigan property taxes that “were inadvertently exempted,” according to an administration spokesperson, but critics are calling for a much stronger response.
“We believe that Rick Snyder needs to fire Rich Baird,” Garrett Arwa, executive director of the Michigan Democratic Party, said Friday morning. “He needs to fire him right now, today. Rich Baird should no longer hold a position of trust in state government.”
To qualify for a principal residence exemption, a homeowner is expected to submit an affidavit, under penalty of perjury, attesting that they or their spouse do not claim similar exemption, credit or deduction on a property located in another state.
Baird purchased a Bath Township home through a trust in early 2011, according to public records reviewed by MLive, but his wife and family continue to live in Illinois, where he has reportedly claimed a homestead tax exemption since 2009.
The Clinton County Treasurer’s office said any affidavit of primary residency would have been filed with the Bath Township Assessor, who was out of the office on Friday and did not immediately respond to a voicemail.
By claiming the exemption, Baird appears to have avoided paying more than $12,000 in property taxes on his home, or about one-third of his possible bill. The property had a taxable value of between $240,200 and $256,325 between 2011 and 2013.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer, who will challenge Snyder in November, has called for an independent investigation into potential tax or voter fraud. But GOP strategist Stu Sandler called Baird’s residency issues “much ado about nothing” in the grand scheme of the governor’s race. - MLive, 8/22/14
He's also been riling up the base:
http://www.mlive.com/...
He said as Governor he would cut taxes on the middle class, repeal the pension tax, restore earned income and child tax credits, support education and repeal the state's new right-to-work law.
"We in this room will repeal right to work for less," Schauer said, bringing about half the room to their feet for a standing ovation.
Schauer pointed to a recent media interview where Gov. Rick Snyder compared damage at his lake home to flood damage of Detroit homes.
"He just doesn't understand that it's the middle class that built this state. The truth is that Rick Snyder doesn't understand our lives," Schauer said.
He spoke highly of his running mate Lisa Brown, who the convention enthusiastically approved for the Lieutenant Governor slot. - MLive, 8/24/14
And he's been making a name for himself:
http://www.pridesource.com/...
There were hundreds of people who gathered at the Capitol Steps Aug. 23rd for a rally celebrating the 25th Annual Michigan Pride in Lansing.
After marching to the Capitol steps, First Congregational UCC Pastor, Reverend Nicolette Siragusa, led a commitment ceremony. Glenna DeJona then gave the grand speech, speaking for herself and Marsha Caspar, the first same-sex couple married in the state of Michigan.
The temperature climbed on the Capitol steps as candidate for governor Mark Schauer took the stage. A gubernatorial candidate speaking at Michigan Pride hasn't occurred in many years. Schauer was well-received by the crowd who waved flags and shouted "One Love" when he came to the podium.
"My friends, it's really pretty simple. Commitment is commitment. Love is love. Nobody in this great state should face discrimination based on who they love, where they live, what they look like or because of their gender identity," Schauer said, pausing for the crowd to respond.
Schauer showed appreciation for the courage and strength of both lawsuit plaintiff couples, Marsha Caspar and Glenna DeJong (Caspar v Snyder) and Jayne Rowse and April DeBoer (DeBoer v Snyder).
"Now, Rick Snyder says he's a tough nerd," Schauer continued. "But let me tell you: there is nothing tough about taking away benefits for committed same-sex couples. There's nothing tough about denying equal rights to the LGBT community. And there's nothing tough about defending a discriminatory ban on marriage equality. That's not tough. That's wrong."
Schauer and running mate Lisa Brown have said many times that they will stand for LGBT rights within their administration and for the state at large. He reaffirmed his position at the rally. - Pride Source, 8/28/14
Democrats are coming home, now all we have to do is get them to the polls. Click here to donate and get involved with Schauer's campaign:
http://markschauer.com/