Michigan primary delivers one big surprise
So, how about those polls, anyway?
On the Democratic side, they couldn't have been more wrong; after confidently predicting a double-digit Hillary Clinton win in Michigan, the former secretary of state ended up humiliated by Bernie Sanders, who bested her statewide, 49.8 percent to 48.2 percent. Clinton picked up the Metro Detroit counties of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb, as well as Genesee and Saginaw, with scattered others around the state. But Sanders beat her everywhere else, and, in the end, her success in the more heavily populated southeast wasn't enough to save her.
On the GOP side, conservative west Michigan went for conservative Ted Cruz, but again, it wasn't nearly enough to stop Donald Trump's juggernaut, which had crushing vote margins in places like Macomb and Oakland counties and most others, too. Trump (36.5 percent overall) got over 50 percent of the vote in seven counties, mostly in the northern lower peninsula. The only other Republican to be a factor was Ohio Gov. John Kasich (24.2 percent), who took Washtenaw and Kalamazoo counties and finished third behind Cruz (24.9 percent) statewide.
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
- “In order for this information to be accurate and unbiased it must be underwritten by its readers, not by special interests.” - Larry S.
- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
If you want to ensure the future of nonpartisan, nonprofit Michigan journalism, please become a member today. You, too, will be asked why you donated and maybe we'll feature your quote next time!