'Pog4 -ThMlchigon Daily -FrdayAugust 1, I986
Voters pick candidates as elections near
LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A man business taxes and settled a sexuala
trying to become the nation's first harassment claim out of court. s
elected black governor and thestate's Lucas, the black former sheriff,
first woman to mount a major party FBI agent and Democrat who made a1
gubernatorial campaign are on the much-heralded switch last year to thet
ballot as voters go to the polls this GOP, had been touted as the early
Tuesday to pick congressional, court, leader in the race and has won the en-
and legislative candidates. dorsement of many groups and GOP
GOP primary election voters will leaders, including Robertson.
also select precinct delegates in a But his campaign suffered one
process that may bolster Vice major setback when state officials
President George Bush's standing in questioned his spending. That held up
the 1988 presidential sweepstakes or state matching funds he needed for
boost the possible presidential bids of advertising until mid-June.
television evangelist Pat Robertson The first woman to make a major-
and New York Congressman Jack party gubernatorial bid, Engler en-
Kemp. tered the race too late to raise the
Each of the trio has a major stake money needed for a solid bid. She's
in who becomes delegates, the group been mentioned as a possible running
that decides which presidential mate for the GOP nominee but has
hopeful receives Michigan's backing repeatedly denied interest in the post
at the 1988 Republican National Con- of lieutenant governor.
vention. Murphy's organization has suffered
It's a long, complicated and con- from lack of interest in the leader of
fusing process, especially since Michigan's second-largest county and
voters can't tell by looking at the the ranking state Republican in years
ballot which delegate candidate sup- of service. Polls generally show Mur-
ports Bush, Robertson, Kemp, or no phy third or last in the GOP field.
one. On the Democratic side, Gov.
Despite the potential draws, many James Blanchard pegs primary foe
political pundits say the primary Henry Wilson as minor opposition,
election holds little appeal for voters. although Wilson's name on the party
"I think August primaries have slate enabled the governor to get
built-in handicaps based on the calen- more public matching-fund money.
dar, and this time around it's com- Wilson is a follower of Lyndon
pounded by the fact that no particular LaRouche, the Democratic extremist
candidate has succeeded in capturing who's linked the British royal family
the imagination of any sector of the to drug trafficking and recommended
public," said Peter Fletcher, former AIDS tests for everyone.
GOP national committeeman. Blanchard, whose rocky first two
"We think voter turnout will be years as chief executive included bat-
fairly light. In some areas where tling a recall spawned by a state in-
you have some hotly contested come tax increase he pushed through
primaries, it might bring out a few the legislature, currently enjoys his
more (voters), but overall we think highest public approval rating. The
it'll be light," added House state's economy is better and the in-
Republican Leader Michael Buschof come tax has returned to the 1982
Saginaw. rate.
Brighton businessman Dick One of the liveliest congressional
Chrysler, Wayne County Executive primary battles this year is in the 14th
William Lucas, state Rep. Colleen District of former Budget Director
Engler of Mount Pleasant and David Stockman, where former
Oakland County Executive Dan Mur- Stockman aide Fred Upton is
phy are competing for the GOP challenging conservative Rep. Mark
gubernatorial nomination. Siljander of Three Rivers for the
Chrysler had spent nearly $3 Republican nomination.
million on his campaign by late July, Statewide, of 36 potential primary
an amount he says is needed to in- races in the 18 congressional districts,
crease his recognition among voters, there are just 16 contests besides
The owner of the auto customizing Siljander's:
company Cars & Concepts, Inc., -Eight races in which LaRouche
Chrysler is the frontrunner despite backers are the sole challengers to
reports that he rammed a state incumbent Democrats.
lawmaker's car, was late in paying -Six races where non-incumbents
Prepare for the
September 27th A
LSAT Exam
FREE Introductory Lesson
SATURDAY, August 9, at 10 A.M.
* Learn How to Anticipate the Test-Maker
" Understand the Leveraged Scoring of the LSAT
* Sharpen your Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills
" Develop Strategies for Maximizing your Exam Performance
NO CHARGE - NO OBLIGATION
EX rEL 1100 S. University
lest Preparation 996-1500
OO'OA', an - - -+
are sparring for the chpnce to tackle a mount very aggressive campaigns
sitting congressman in November. and take nothing for granted," said
-Two races where incumbent Michigan Democratic Party Chair
Democrats are being challenged for Rick Wiener.
their party's nomination by LaRouc- In the state house, 33 of the 110
'I think August primaries have built-in han-
dicaps based on the calendar, and this time
around it's compounded by the fact that no par-
ticular candidate has succeeded in capturing the.
imagination of any sector of the public.'
-Peter Fletcher, former
GOP committeeman
he activists as well as other can- districts have primaries, setting the
didates. stage for another GOP attempt to
"We've encouraged our regain control of the House majority
congressional candidates who have they last held 20 years ago.
challenges from the LaRouchies to Democrats hold a 57-53 edge, and
the party maintains its Blanchard-
topped ticket will add at least three or
four seats. However, Republicans
believe they can take a few of the 11
open seats to put the chamber in GOP
hands.
State Senate leaders also are
looking to November, when voters
will determine whether Republicans
or Democrats dominate the chamber.
The GOP holds the majority, 20-18.
In the most prominent Senate
primary, incumbent Kirby Holmes of
Utica is being challenged by GOP
Rep. Doug Carl, also of Utica. The
clash has turned bitter as each at-
tacks the other's character.
Voters also will decide which
judicial hopefuls will run. as non-
partisans for six seats on the
Michigan Court of Appeals.
Democratic congressional candidates Dean Baker (left) and Don Grimes (right) debate while moderator Tom
Murray looks on Wednesday night at City Hall.
Student debates economist for aeetiou
(Continuedfrom Page 1)
der the guise of being humanitarian. the state Democratic organization
When asked to identify the two most He accused Grimes of either- suppor- had already given up, though.
pressing needs of the second district, ting this disguised aid or misunder-
Grimes said economic development standing the issue, citing Grimes' op- "WE'VE MADE Carl Pursell's
and toxic waste control, while Baker position to only "military aid." name a dirty word in Ann Arbor. Now
cited peace and economic prosperity. Grimes said the Reagan Ad we're going to make it a dirty word
On financial aid for students, Baker ministration's twisting of words made throughout. the whole district," he
said the student loan program should the two terms indistinguishable. This said.
Sbe continuedand extended, but he did lead to Baker's misunderstanding his Grimes concluded by reading from
bngreponsbe. foracfavoringsIRS position, Grimes said. Pursell's campaign literature,
being irresponsible for favoring IRS BOTH CANDIDATES favored san- describing the congressman as
enforcement of student loan collec- ctions against the government of responsive and close to his constituen-
tion. South Africa. "The time to play foot- ts, a claim both Grimes and Baker
GRIMES said the student loan sie with South Africa is over," Baker disagree with.
program should be extended "to said. He supports full sanctions Pursell has been accused of being
anyone that wants it," and suggested against P.W. Botha's regime. unreceptive to voters. His office has
a surtax on federal income tax after Grimes said he also supports "full been the sight of protests against his
the borrower enters the work force. and immediate" sanctions, in addition support of Contra aid.
The candidates also differed on the to putting pressure on U.S. allies to Grimes agreed that beating Pur-
meaning of "military aid" to Central impose similar restrictions, sell was the focus of the campaign,
American. While Baker said he favored Baker concluded by insisting he but predicted his support from local
humanitarian aid to the region, he could beat Pursell with his grass unions and Democratic organizations
said all U.S.'aid has been m!ltita1 n 'roots,,door-to-door campaign, he said, would make hlrM more likelytowin.