Leading The State
Who will be Michigan's next governor?
JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER
PO
'94
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The race Is on: Running for governor.
espite the atten-
tion Michigan
Gov. John Engler
has generated
with his public-
school financing
legislation, some
political pundits seem favorably
disposed to his reelection in
November.
"Engler has a core of substan-
tial support which makes him dif-
ficult to beat," said Dennis
Muchmore, a Larising-based lob-
byist for the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit and other
\ area Jewish agencies.
The governor's opposition,
however, believes that his role in
changing the funding mechanism
for public schools has made him
vulnerable.
Factor in the Jewish vote,
which at least one community
\-,,leader says could be a big influ-
"ence, and the election results are
anyone's guess.
"I think the key in this race is
Oakland County," said David
Gad-Harf, executive director of
the Jewish Community Council.
"Engler has to do well here. The
Jewish constituency is one voting
block in Oakland County. To that
extent, it would be in his best in-
terest to capture a portion of the
Jewish vote."
While a segment of the com-
munity has put its support be-
hind Gov. Engler, three of his four
Democratic opponents also have
strong Jewish backing.
Larry Owen has the support of
David Hermelin, a philanthropist
and a relative of the Owens. Mr.
Owen and his wife Faylene, who
is Jewish, have been active fund-
raisers in the Democratic Party,
most notably for Bill Clinton.
Former U.S. Rep. Howard
Wolpe, who is hoping to become
Michigan's first Jewish gover-
nor, and Lansing state Sen. Deb-
bie Stabenow also have their
share of support within the
community.
"IL\
"The Democrats are making a between typically divided com-
creasing the skill level of the
strong effort to reach out and ap- munities.
workforce.
peal to the Jewish community,"
One month from tomorrow,
"You can't build a strong econ-
Mr. Gad-Harf said. "They have voters will decide which Democ-
been eager to participate in rat will face Gov. Engler in No- omy without education," Mr.
forums, spoken before Jewish au- vember. Until then, the four Owen said. "We need to make
diences and attempted to as- Democratic candidates will be sure every child comes to school
semble a campaign with Jewish trying to ignite some voter inter- ready to learn and that
all classrooms are equipped to
supporters and campaigners."
est and continue to voice their teach high-tech skills."
Of all the candi-
In addition, he be-
dates, Lynn Jon-
lieves every child
dahl, a 57-year-old
should have a col-
state repre-
lege education
sentative from
available to him.
Okemos, is the only
"With just a bit
one lacking in up-
more schooling, peo-
front Jewish sup-
ple are going to earn
port. "In terms of
more," Mr. Owen
fund-raising,
said. "It's worth the
Wolpe and Owen
investment to get
have more connec-
tions," Rep. Jon-
people through
school."
dahl said.
However, Rep.
Sen. Stabenow,
Jondahl said his
who sponsored the
contact with con-
amendment to elim-
stituents and col-
inate property- tax
leagues during his
support for public
22 years in the
schools, which led to
Legislature have
the March vote on
helped familiarize
Proposal A, agreed
him with Jewish
the Democratic can-
community con-
didates hold similar
cerns.
views.
This group of
"The difference is
candidates all said
where we put our
they see the needs
priorities. I bring a
of the Jewish con-
unique voice as a
stituents as gen-
mother and I'm
erally the same as
more empathetic on
the rest of the state.
family and chil-
"There have not
dren's issues," she
been a lot of issues
said.
that were of unique
Differences also
concern to the Jew-
are hard to find
ish community
when the candi-
There have been a
dates talk about
lot of issues the
their views on
Jewish community
crime. Contents of
has taken an inter-
position
papers of-
est in," Rep. Jon- Clockwise from upper left:
ten echo each other.
Larry
Owen,
Debbie
Stabenow,
Howard
Wolpe,
Lynn
Jondahl.
dahl said.
For example, Mr.
Mr. Owen said
Wolpe, Mr. Owen . cr"
r_
the governor's role should be to concerns on the usual issues,
and Rep. Jondahl all
provide moral leadership and from education and the economy make specific mention of com-
speak out against an increase in to crime and unemployment.
munity policing as a crime pre-
anti-Semitism.
All the Democrats said they be- vention strategy. They talk about =
Sen. Stabenow and Mr. Wolpe lieve the key to the state's tougher juvenile sentencing and ---'
both said the governor's role economic future lies in strength- requiring criminals to serve their
should include building bridges ening public education and in- entire prison sentence.