Michigan Could Become Presidential Battleground State in 2016

The chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party said Saturday the state could become a battleground state in the 2016 election, depending on who the major parties nominate.

Speaking at a gathering of 9th Congressional District Democrats from Macomb and Oakland counties, Lon Johnson said a matchup between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Jeb Bush could be close, The Detroit News reports.

“If it is Jeb versus Hillary, we are in for a barn burner of a race,” Johnson said. “It is going to be tough.”

Democrats have prevailed in presidential contests since 1992, but in the last two midterm elections, Republicans have gained control of the three branches of state government. In November, Sen. Gary Peters was the only new Democrat elected to the Republican-controlled Senate as Democrats suffered stinging losses in statewide races for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and seats in the GOP-dominated Legislature.

That suggests Michigan won’t be “a layup” if the race comes down to familiar political names like Clinton and Bush.

Johnson said it’s important for Democrats to do more to distinguish themselves with new ideas.

“We have to be the party that shows (voters) precisely what they’re going to get,” Johnson said. “We cannot just be the party that hates on Republicans.”

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