The Michigan Daily - michigandaily
NEWS BRIEFS
LAS VEGAS
Senate majority
leader Reid avoids
Tea Party upset
A U.S. Sen. Harry Reid sur-
vived a ferocious challenge from
tea party star Sharron Angle and
a huge Republican wave Tuesday
to win a fifth term and avoid the
indignity of becomingthe first Sen-
ate majority leader to lose re-elec-
tion in 58 years.
The dour, soft-spoken Reid was
the Republicans' top target in the
nation, and for months he appeared
headed for defeat as Nevada suf-
fered with the nation's worst
unemployment, foreclosure and
bankruptcy rates.
"Today Nevada chose hope over
fear," Reid said at a Las Vegas rally.
"Nevada chose to move forward,
notbackwards."
The last Senate majority leader
to lose a re-election bid was Arizo-
na's Ernest W. McFarland in 1952.
"I've been in some pretty tough
fights in my day. They've been in
the street, been in a boxing ring and
been in the United States Senate.
But I have to admit, this has been
one of the toughest," Reid said.
CHICAGO
Dems lose Obama's
former Senate seat
Voters in President Barack
obama's home state rejected his
friend and his policies Tuesday,
giving his old Senate seat to a
Republican.
Mark Kirk, a congressman and
Obama critic, narrowly defeated
Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannou-
lias, a basketball buddy of the presi-
dent who would have been a strong
ally in Washington.
"A tsunami just hit the heart-
land," Kirk exulted in his victory
speech.
Obama and his White House
team campaigned hard for
Giannoulias, hoping to avoid per-
haps the most politically embar-
rassing loss on a night of losses for
Democrats.
But with 99 percent of the vote
counted, Kirk had 48 percent to
Giannoulias' 46 percent - squeak-
ing out a victory despite the revela-
tion that he had made false claims
bout his military record.
,LOS ANGELES
* Brown defeats
Whitman in Calif.
governors race
Democrat Jerry Brown was
* elected California governor on
Tuesday in an extraordinary politi-
cal encore, defeating billionaire
Republican Meg Whitman and the
$142 million she spent of her own
fortune as he reclaimed the office
he held a generation ago.
"It looks like I'm going back
again," Brown said as he took the
stage at the historic Fox Theater in
Oakland to chants of "Jerry, Jerry,
Jerry."
The victory by the 72-year-old
state attorney general leaves him
with the enormous task of lifting
the state out of a recession and
driving down a persistently high
jobless rate. The former Jesuit
seminary student said he would
be up to it. Brown was California's
34th governor during his previous
tenure from 1975 to 1983, and now
becomes its 39th.
NEW YORK
Cuomo elected as
New York governor
Democrat Andrew Cuomo
coasted past tea party Republican
Carl Paladino after an exceedingly
nasty race to win election Tuesday
as governor of New York - the job
his father, Mario, held in the 1980s
and'90s.
With nearly all the precincts
reporting, Cuomo had 62 percent of
the vote while Paladino had 34 per-
cent. Third-party candidates split
the balance.
Cuomo, New York's attorney
general, led in the polls from the
start of his well-funded campaign
and helped the combative and con-
servative Paladino sink himself by
* shifting the focus from economic
issues to Paladino's opposition to
abortion and gay marriage.
The Cuomos now join the exclu-
sive club of father-and-son gov-
ernors, whose members include
the Browns, Edmund and Jerry, of
California; the Romneys, George of
Michigan and Mitt of Massachu-
setts; and the Folsoms, John Sr. and
John Jr., of Alabama.
- Compiled from
Daily wire reports.
.com
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 3A
LSA senior Yousef Rabhi watches election results come in on a computer monitor last night.
In county cOmmisSio1r
raeLSA senior winsbi
Ann Arbor Mayor
John Hieftje to
enter second
decade as mayor
By DYLAN CINTI
Daily StaffReporter
"I love all you guys!" LSA
senior Yousef Rabhi shouted to
a crowd of about 35 supporters
gathered at his election watch
party at Tio's Mexican Caf on
East Liberty Street last night.
Rabhi had reason to spread the
love - his watch party had just
become a victory party.
After months of campaigning
through door-to-door canvass-
ing, the 22-year-old Democrat
won the majority of the vote to
land on the Washtenaw County
Board of Commissioners. As of 4
a.m. Wednesday, Rabhi led with
74 percent of the vote, while his
opponent Republican Joe Baublis
received 25 percent.
Last night's elections also saw
the re-election of Mayor John
Hieftje (D) and Ann Arbor City
council member Carsten Hohn-
ke (D-Ward 5). Hieftje - who's
served as mayor since 2000 -
triumphed over Independent
candidate Steve Bean with 82
percent of the vote, while Hohn-
ke beat Republican challenger
John Floyd and party-unaffili-
ated University graduate student
Newcombe Clark with about 70
percent of the vote, as of 4 a.m.
this morning.
The fact that both Rabhi and
Hieftje won by substantial mar-
gins didn't go unacknowledged
at their victory parties.
"I was out canvassing today,
DINGELL
From Page 1A
said. "There is a lot to be done -
jobs and the economy. That is the
point that we made during our
campaign. We're going to work
hard on that."
Recent polls suggested the
race would be a blowout with
Dingell predicted to win by
double digits. However, one
poll conducted by The Rossman
Group and Team TelCom - two
firms Dingell's campaign said
has GOP ties - showed Steele
leading in the race.
After seeing the results of the
race and making a speech at his
watch party held at Malarkey's
Pub in Southgate, Mich. last
night, Steele, a cardiologist, said
in an interview with The Michi-
gan Daily that despite his loss,
he felt his campaign staff did a
good job promoting his name in
a district typically dominated by
Democrats.
"I think you've seen a whole
bunch of new people like myself
enter the arena," Steele said.
"None of us had ever been
involved in a political campaign
before, and here we went from
zero to what we did, which was
fantastic."
Steele said he thought those
that voted for him chose to do so
because of his appeal as some-
one new to the political scene, in
addition to his stance on reduc-
ing spending, which he said was
his motivation for running for a
'I
but to be frank, the mayor didn't
need that much help," Public
Policy senior Tommy Held said
at Hieftje's post-election party
at the Ann Arbor Brewing Com-
pany on East Washington Street.
Meanwhile, at Tio's, several
dozen of Rabhi's supporters
began celebrating his victory
hours before the polls closed -
and even before Rabhi had shown
up.
As Rabhi's supporter and
close friend Celia Haven put it at
around 9:20 p.m., "We have the
numbers, and it's looking good."
The pre-victory revelry stood
in stark contrast to the Aug. 3
primary, when Rabhi won the
Democratic ticket by a mere two
votes.
"(The primary) was very cha-
otic. This is going a lot better,"
Haven said.
Rabhi's campaign manager
Christine Muscat added, "It is
looking a little better this time."
At around 9:30 p.m. a tired-
looking Rabhi walked into the
restaurant and was greeted with
resounding applause, to which
he smiled broadly.
Among his enthusiastic sup-
porters was current City Council
member Stephen Kunselman (D-
Ward 3), who said he has confi-
dence in Rabhi's political poise
despite his young age.
"He's no longer a novice. He's
definitely a pro," Kunselman said
in an interview last night. "This
is a great victory for Ann Arbor."
Another Rabhi supporter,
University employee Tim Coln-
back, said he hopes Rabi's win
will help set a precedent of local
political activism among Univer-
sity students.
"I think we need student par-
spot in Congress.
"I look at young people as hav-
ing no chance in the future the
way spending is going," Steele
said. "You'll spend your whole
life working to pay government
debt instead of creating your
own life and your own commu-
nity and that sort of thing."
In the last few weeks lead-
ing up to Election Day, Dingell
stepped up his campaign efforts
to help ensure a successful elec-
tion night.
Dingell recently announced
federal grants to help build a
new transit center in Ann Arbor
as well as funds to improve an
AMTRAK line that travels
between Dearborn and Detroit.
However, Dingell's Press Sec-
retary Adam Benson wrote in
an e-mail interview with The
Michigan Daily last week that
the funds have "no relation" to
Dingell's campaign, even though
the announcements came close
to the election.
Last month, Dingell hosted a
rally with former President Bill
Clinton to encourage students
and community members to vote
for the Democratic ticket.
Betsy Barrett, communi-
cations director for Dingell's
campaign, said Dingell had a
successful campaign and com-
pared his organization to that
of President Barack Obama's in
2008.
At Dingell's election watch
party in Taylor, Jeff Squillets, a
Westland, Mich. resident, said
he was proud to support Dingell
ticipation in local government,"
said Colenback, who works as
an assistant dean of student ser-
vices for the University's School
of Social Work. "Being involved
really does make a difference."
Colenback added that Rabhi's
win will likely inspire students
to become more politically active
- even if that means just getting
out to vote.
Referring to Rabhi's primary
win, Colenback said, "When
an election comes down to one
or two votes, everybody who's
involved will make a difference."
In an interview after his vic-
tory party, Rabhi said he appre-
ciates the outpouring of support
from respected officials like
Kunselman and Colenback.
"I appreciate their help and
support," Rabhi said. "Those
kind of things help a lot."
Despite feeling enthused by
his win, Rabhi said campaigning
has taken a toll on other aspects
of his life.
"Now I'll actually start doing
homework and doing my read-
ing for classes," said Rabhi, who
plans to graduate at the end of
this semester. "Then I'll start
looking for a part-time job."
Following his win last night,
Hieftje said he's also looking for-
ward to the future.
"We've stood up to the chal-
lenges so far, and we're going to
continue to do that," Hieftje said
in an interview last night,
Despite his substantial lead,
Hieftje said he didn't view his
win as a foregone conclusion.
"I never take elections for
granted at all," Hieftje said.
- Aditya Badrinath
contributed to this report.
over Steele.
"(Dingell's) for the working
man," Squillets said. "I don't like
the idea of a right-to-work state."
Squillets said he volunteered
throughout the day, going door
to door encouraging people to
get out and vote.
Jeff Donofrio, chair of the
15th Congressional District
Democratic Organization, said
even though it was a rough elec-
tion for Democrats, Dingell came
through strong.
"People in the 15th know he
delivers for them," he said. "It
was a tough night for Democrats,
but we knew it was going to be."
David Harrison, who used to
work for Dingell, said he con-
tinues to support the legendary
congressman.
"He's always been good to our
family," Harrison said. "I always
support John Dingell, and I
always will. He's a good man."
Dingell ended his speech
tonight by emphasizing that his
55 years in Congress has allowed
him to become close to his con-
stituents and has enabled him to
recognize their needs.
"I want to say that I know who
I work for. And I know who I
fight for. And we're going to look
to you and the people of the 15th
district to try and serve you the
way you want with vigor and
energy and enthusiasm and hard
work," Dingell said.
- Daily Staff Reporter Caitlin
Huston contributed reporting
from Southgate, Mich.
SNYDER
From Page lA
that evidently resonated with vot-
ers today.
"I got involved and went after
it because I don't believe career
politicians were the right answer
and we needed to have an out-
sider come in and bring new, fresh
ideas," Snyder told The Michigan
Daily earlier this month.
Duringhis speech late lastnight,
Snyder said there are three steps
his administration needs to take to
start fixing Michigan: ushering in
positive viewpoints, developing a
plan and taking action.
"It is time for a new era," Snyder
said. "It is time for the era of inno-
vation."
As part of this innovative
approach, Snyder said that during
his time in office, he plans to look
beyond party lines and partisan
politics to focus on what is truly
best for the state.
"It's time to drop the labels ... of
party, of ideology, of geography,"
Snyder told the crowd. "To make
this work there is only one label
that matters. That label is Michi-
gander."
Before Snyder took the stage,
newly-elected lieutenant governor,
Brian Calley, made a speech echo-
ing Snyder's sentiments.
"We're going to throw aside class
warfare, racial and ethnic divides
and even Republican and Demo-
crat," said Calley, who was Sny-
der's running mate. "Michigan's
problems today are so big, we need
(everyone) going in the same direc-
tion."
Calley added that he is looking
forward to taking on the challenge
of fixing the problems of the state
alongside Snyder.
"This is Michigan's one chance
and what anopportunityit is," Cal-
ley said.
After graduating from the
University with his undergradu-
ate, MBA and JD degrees, Snyder
went on to work at a variety of
companies including Gateway. He
ultimately became the computer
company's president and chief
operating officer. Snyderwas also
involved in economic initiatives
in Michigan, including serving as
the first chairman of the Michigan
Economic Development Corpora-
tion in 1999. In addition, Snyder
helped launch business incubator
Ann Arbor SPARK and HandyLab,
a company that develops medical
technologies.
Snyder, who first introduced
himself to the public as "one tough
nerd," said in his speech last night
that he's going to aim to create an
economy in the state that can com-
pete on the global level, which will
in turn lead to a better quality of
life for Michiganders.
"We are truly blessed in this
state with some of the world's best
natural resources," Snydersaid.
He also said revitalizing Detroit
and other cities in the state is an
essential part of getting Michigan
back on track.
"It is fundamental that we
restore our central cities," he said.
Snyder told the Daily during his
campaign last month that he would
bring the "new approach and atti-
tude" necessary to revolutionize
Michigan.
"Coming from the business
world there's a lot of things that
have been really successful there
that we should be doing in govern-
ment," Snyder told the Daily at the
time. "The goal of government is
not to make a profit, but I believe
the government should be showing
a positive return on investments
from citizens and society and that's
true of alot of business in America."
During his campaign, Snyder
said that if elected, he would work
to establish a growing job market
amid difficult economic times to
reverse the state's "brain drain."
Snyder hopes to create jobs by
reducing taxes for small business-
es. In order to do this, Snyder said
in his speech last night that the
Michigan Business Tax needs to be
revoked.
"The comeback in Michigan is
not going to be a few big out-of-
state companies," Snyder told the
Daily last month. "It's going to be
Michiganders creating and grow-
ing small businesses."
When Snyder takes office in Jan-
uary, he said he plans to make vast
changes within the state in order
get Michigan working again and to
embark upon a completely new sys-
tem of government.
"It is time for bureaucracy to go
away," Snyder said in his speech
tonight. "It is time for an indepen-
dent government, and what does
that government look like? It's
simple: it's costumer service gov-
ernment. It views the citizens as a
customer."
Snyder's son, Jeff, wrote in a text
message to the Daily last night that
he has enjoyed campaigning for his
father and he appreciates the sup-
port Michigan citizens have shown
him and his family.
"It's been a really exciting expe-
rience, and we are really thankful
for all the support we have received
ever since my dad announced his
candidacy," he wrote.
Supporters here at the watch
party said they were excited to see
Snyder's fresh approach to fixing
the state,
Middleville, Mich. resident
Cathy Williamson, 68, called Sny-
der "a really good person," a char-
teristic she has seen firsthand since
Snyder owns a lake house near her
daughter on Gun Lake.
"When he was building his
home many years ago, he asked the
different contractors who would
donate 10 percent of their profits
back to charity," Williamson said.
"How many times do you hear
that?"
Health Behavior Prof. Victor
Strecher, who was also at the watch
party, said Snyder's campaign mir-
rors his business career. Stretcher,
who launched a web-based health
company with Snyder, said the
story of their company - which
was eventually so successful it was
bought by Johnson & Johnson -
shows Snyder's ability to persevere.
"When we first started the com-
pany, everybody told us that we
wouldn't make it, that it wouldn't
work," Stecher said. "And there's a
real parallel to Rick's campaign. A
year ago nobody thought that he
could do this. There was a really
small number of people who really
believed in Rick, knew he would
become the nextgovernor."
LSA freshmen Ansley Semack
and Matt Jones, who were here
tonight, said that Snyder's victory
was a much needed push for the
state toward Republican sentiment
and ideals.
"This is usually a blue state but
the American people, and more
specifically the people of Michi-
gan, have shown that theyare frus-
trated and they do want change,"
said Jones, a member of College
Republicans. "So we are turning
not only the governor, but possibly
the House of Representatives and
the state Senate.
Semack said she's happy to see
Michigan and the rest of the coun-
try moving in a Republican direc-
tion.
"I'm excited that people realized
we needed change and actually
went out and acted on it this time,"
Semack said. "After 2008, every-
thing fell apart, so it's been a long
time coming."
- Daily Staff Reporter
Stephanie Berliant contributed
reporting from Detroit and
Elyana Twiggs contributed
reporting from Ann Arbor.
ARIEL BOND/Daily
Republican governor-elect Rick Snyder speaks to supporters in Detroit last night.