Through the primary election on August 7, every week on the MLC Blog we will be highlighting key primary races.  Candidate’s website and professional information is listed when available.

This year’s gubernatorial race is shaping up to be an interesting one. First, after serving two-terms, Governor Rick Snyder can’t run again due to term limits, leaving the seat open. Second, both the Democratic and Republican parties have strong contenders, making the primary race one to watch. Traditionally, after one party has held the office for two terms, control tends to switch to the opposite party. Will that be the case this year? If so, the primary races will be that much more important.

Democratic candidates – While Ms. Whitmer has receive numerous key endorsements, Mr. Thanedar’s poll numbers continue to rise, with some having him ahead of Ms. Whitmer.

• Abdul El-Sayed – Rhodes Scholar, physician, former health director for the City of Detroit
• Shri Thanedar – Scientist, entrepreneur
• Gretchen Whitmer – Attorney, former Senate Democratic Leader, served in the Michigan House and Senate, former interim Ingham County prosecutor

Republican candidates: Both A.G. Schuette and Lt. Governor Calley have launched strong campaigns, but polls currently show Schuette up over the Lt. Governor.

• Patrick Colbeck – State senator, engineer
• Brian Calley – Lt. Governor, former legislator and county commissioner, banker
• Jim Hines – Private practice physician, former chief of the medical staff at Covenant HealthCare, former national president of the Christian Medical and Dental Association
• Bill Schuette – Attorney General, former legislator, congressman, judge, and director of the MI Department of Agriculture

Libertarian candidates:

• Bill Gelineau – Restaurant owner, title examiner
• John J. Tatar – Reitred teacher, former electric journeyman, served in the Army Reserves

Michigan Legislative Consultants is a bipartisan lobbying firm based in Lansing, Michigan. Our team of lobbyists and procurement specialists provide a wide range of services for some of the most respected companies in America. For more on MLC, visit www.mlcmi.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.