Candidate Spotlight: Terri Lynn Land

'89-91 Kent County Republican Chairperson. 

'92-'00 Kent County Clerk 

'04  State Co-chair of George W. Bush's Re-election campaign. 

'04 Delegate at the 2004 RNCC. 

'03-'09 Michigan's Secretary of State

Early Political Image: 

As West Michiganian and a woman, Terri Land holds a special place in election. As a moderate republican she may have a tough time in the primary, however, if she wins it would give the Republican party an advantage in the general election. Having been the secretary of state for over 5 years and not received the moniker 'Scary Terri,' tells us as much as her record, she doesn't create to much trouble. I know little about her reputation with in the party, but I feel that she has played the role of peace keeper for some time. 

For now the race is wide open on the Repubican side, especially if she can get a better staff photographer. (This one was the best that I could find on her campaign website)

Terri Lynn Land

Candidate Spotlight: John D. Cherry Jr.

'83-'86, 79th district Representative

'87-'94, 29th district Senator 

'94-'98, 28th district Senator 

Ran for the US House in '92, 5th district.  

Democratic convention delegate; '96, '00, '04

Lt. Governor '03-'10

Early political image:

Since we are still 19 months out, the impact that any candidate can make on the perception of him/her by the popular press is limited. At this stage only the pundits and the local politic nerds are paying any attention to this race. John Cherry is in a unique position, the political good will that envelops Ghranholm will rub off on Cherry in the early stages of the actual primary campaign, since he has decided to run on his work with in the Executive branch. 

It seems that the Cherry campaign is currently deciding to present John as a 'conservationist,' which works for him. Along with his age, history and without major support from progressive environmental groups it would be difficult for the campaign to present him as an 'environmentalist.' Since we are in the early stages of the campaign (in this stage the voter shapes his/her political image with what little information s/he is given, namely physical appearance) I will be superficial for one moment, Cherry can pull off a Teddy Roosevelt/Taft conservationalist/conservatism. 

I could not find any current polling data.