Governor Snyder is re-elected

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has won a second term, defeating Democrat Mark Schauer.  The Republican who downplays party ideology campaigned by touting an economic and fiscal recovery and promising to keep the state on the right path. He also highlighted work to address Detroit’s financial crisis and increased spending on education.  Snyder’s victory makes him the sixth straight Michigan governor to be re-elected at least once. The “tough nerd” was a venture capitalist and former corporate executive before winning the governorship in 2010.  Schauer had attacked Snyder’s decisions to slash business taxes and eliminate breaks for individuals, and said schools are underfunded. He said Snyder’s approval of a right-to-work law and a ban on benefits for same-sex partners of government workers showed he’s no centrist Republican.   (AP)