Large Majority of Hartland Township Voters Side With GOP

Hartland Township voters overwhelmingly sided with Republican candidates Tuesday up and down the ticket — with a mammoth 78 percent choosing winning candidate Rick Snyder for governor. 

Several voters cited the economy, jobs and Democratic spending at the national level.

"It's pretty easy," said Kim Hitchens, a 52-year-old who voted straight Republican and is concerned about the federal deficit. "I want something better."

"The Democrats have spent way too much money," said Hitchens, who is in sales. "They didn't get anything done and voted in a health plan that no one has ready fully, you can go on and on and on. I want something a little more conservative."

More than 5,600 Hartland Township residents voted — a 55 percent voter turnout that universally supported Republican candidates. This massive wave helped re-elect Republican incumbents who represent the Hartland area: U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, state Rep. Cindy Denby and county commissioners Dave Domas and Maggie E. Jones, according unofficial election results. The voters also helped install Republican Joe Hune as the area's new state senator.

At the top of the ticket, almost 4,400 backed Snyder while his opponent, Democrat Virgil Bernero, garnered about 1,100.

Even some Democrats crossed over, such as Joanne Randolph, a sales consultant voted for Snyder.

"I don't like Bernero," said Randolph, 65, who is most concerned about the economy, jobs, education and taxes. "I don't like some of the things that have happened to the state and I want see what Snyder can do to turn the state around."

Still, there were some residents who turned out to support Democrats.

Joyce Rolls, a 49-year-old engineer for auto supplier Visteon, said she's seen too many jobs sent overseas, so she voted for Bernero.

"I had just my entire division where I worked for liquidated and the stuff was sent to India so I need someone who understands that we got to keep jobs here," said Rolls who was able to find another job within in the company.

"(Democrats) understand that trickle down economics doesn't work; that we need to care of the people. I'm willing to pay a little more in taxes to keep people here. Because If we don't have people with jobs that pay enough to pay for the services, there's not going to be anything left."

Dr. Noah Brown, 30, said he voted for Democrats because he agrees with them on the issues, such as the economy and global warming. He said health insurance reform will help.

"It's poorly understood," said Brown, who practices at the University of Michigan. "It's definitely good for the health insurance system."

But many voters were like Chuck Navarre, 50, who said it's time to stop the "spending madness."

"It seems like they are more concerned giving away free stuff than trying to address problems like the economy," said Navarre, who works on staff at the University of Michigan in engineering. "I pretty much voted straight Republican. I voted for one Democrat, but he was unopposed."