Michigan’s Republican governor wins reelection

Republican Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder defeated former Rep. Mark Schauer (D) in a tough matchup to hold on to his seat.

Despite a hard-fought battle that stayed close up until Election Day, The Detroit Free Press and other state news outlets called the race for Snyder shortly after polls closed.

{mosads}The victory came quicker than expected, and caught many pundits and state political analysts by surprise. 

Ahead of Election Day, both campaigns made final blitzes across the state over the weekend and through Monday. This weekend, Schauer appeared at a campaign stop in Detroit with President Obama, who was one of the many national political stars to put in time in the state in recent weeks. 

The tight race touched on education, taxes and Detroit’s 2013 decision to declare bankruptcy, among other issues.

The Michigan economy has grown during Snyder’s four years in office, partly as a result of a rebounding auto industry. Until Tuesday evening, however, it was unclear whether he could turn that economic growth into a political victory. 

Schauer served one term in Congress, and also spent time in the state Legislature, after working as a community organizer. He framed himself as a populist and criticized Snyder’s policies for failing blue-collar workers.