Businessman and Republican political newcomer Rich DeVos failed last night to unseat Michigan’s incumbent Democrat governor, Jennifer Granholm, in what was considered one of the closest and mostly hotly contested races in the nation. Political pundits called it the most-endangered Democrat governors’ seats because of Michigan’s poor economy and high unemployment. Granholm combatted DeVos’ $10 million television ad campaign with her own attacks on President Bush, free trade and globalization.
Granholm, endorsed by the pro-abortion Emily’s List, vetoed a partial-birth abortion ban in Michigan, which was later overturned by the Legislature. She did, however, sign a bill requiring abortion providers to show women ultrasound images of their unborn children. DeVos, son of the billionaire founder of Amway (now Alticor), has opposed all abortion except when the life of the mother is in danger and supports school vouchers. He ahs also funded many evangelical schools and ministries.