14 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. NOVEMBER ELEC T IONS Michigan saw a blue wave on November 8 Election Day, with the top three GOP candidates—Tudor Dixon, Matt DePerno, and Kristina Karamo—falling to Democrats. In addition, both the Michigan House and Senate switched to Democrat control for the first time on nearly 40 years. According to ABC Michigan President, Jimmy Greene, it was the early stances appealing to the far right that made their electability to independent voters too hard to swallow. It will be this dilemma moving forward that Greene believes will hold GOP candidates back and, frankly, jeopardize the future of merit shop contractors across the state of Michigan. “It is one thing to get the GOP nomination appealing to a certain segment of voters, but in order to win you have to balance that with what the majority feels—often those two views can be polar opposites—that happened across the board at the top of the ticket this election cycle for the GOP,” said Greene. “It was that poor showing at the top that dragged our senate and house candidates down and the reason that the Democrats now hold control of the entire state of Michigan.” Why was the midterm voter turnout so high this time? According to Greene it was a case of Republicans finally getting what they wanted with the overturn of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court that motivated a record number of voters to the polls, with the obvious majority voting Democrat. “This is a frightening trend that, frankly, I see repeating itself in future elections and not just in Michigan, but across the country,” Greene stated. “This is really a blueprint of what can be done in an election where the national trends are working against your candidates. The Democrats in the wake of an unpopular President and weak economy wisely attached themselves to an issue that not only appealed to their base, but the all-important majority of independent voters.” Greene went on to state that voting based on a singular issue will have a devastating effect on the economy and overall growth of Michigan—especially in the construction industry. He believes it will allow things like the repeal of Right to Work and prevailing wage in addition to allowing local units of government to reinstate unfair labor work agreements to happen. Driving the cost of building up making Michigan a less appealing place for companies to do business. “The problem that arises on this passion-filled single issue vote is that you not only get the result you want on that issue, but now all of the unintended consequences and economic impact of a government that has no real checks or balances anymore,” said Greene. “The Democrats own the legislature, governor’s office, secretary of state, and attorney general—rest assured all the promises ‘good and bad’ that candidates made during their elections will be kept unabated. I believe that Right to Work and the appeal of prevailing wage will be some of the first pieces of legislation introduced when the new Democrat led legislative session begins. Despite the political winds blowing against us, I can assure you that ABC Michigan is ready to aggressively fight at every turn to protect and defend our wins.” “This is a frightening trend that, frankly, I see repeating itself in future elections and not just in Michigan, but across the country. This is really a blueprint of what can be done in an election where the national trends are working against your candidates.” » Jimmy Greene, President, ABC Michigan SINGLE ISSUE VOTERS Carry the Day for Democrats in Michigan Dark Days Loom for Merit Shop Contractors
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