Republicans gain clout in Macomb County

Detroit News ^ | 10-16-03 | Marisa Schultz

[Dan from Michigan]

The Republican Party, once the underdog in Macomb politics, has slowly eroded Democratic clout, in part because of the growth of Macomb's northern and more conservative townships, analysts say.

Population growth has boomed in all of Macomb's townships north of Hall Road. At the same time, Macomb's southern cities, which have been the Democratic backbone of the county, have suffered population losses.

[Dan from Michigan]

One of the two main Detroit Surburban counties(Oakland is the other), Macomb is the home of the "Reagan Democrats". A lot of social conservatives here, but many still carry their union cards to the poll booth, and it still has a populist bent to it.

With the dems moving even further left on cultural issues and tax issues, this county could soon lean GOP, but the jobs issue will be huge in 2004.

[waterstraat]

Macomb county went overwelmingly for demcrat female governor Jennifer Gramhold. If the unemployment rate stays high in Macomb, it also will go overwelmingly against bush in 2004.

[agsloss]

Macomb County went for Posthumus, not Granholm.

[Dan from Michigan]

Actually, Granholm lost Macomb. So did Bush. You might be thinking of Oakland.

MACOMB COUNTY
Bush 164265 - 48%
Gore 172625 - 50%
Nader 6245 - 2%

Posthumus 132,583 - 52%
Granholm 121,065 - 47%