ELECTION NIGHT 2012 IS HISTORY
Voters reject all six statewide ballot proposals: Five of the six ballot proposals that attempted to amend the state constitution were soundly defeated Tuesday. In addition, voters defeated Proposal 1, which would have retained an emergency manager law that gave state-appointed managers vast powers to redo union contracts and neuter elected officials of insolvent local governments. Detroit News
Matty Maroun has a really bad night: Voters handed 85-year-old Matty Moroun, the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, a massive defeat in shooting down his attempt to block the construction of a government-built bridge from Detroit to Windsor. Moroun spent at least $33 million on ads for Proposal 1. He lost by about 60-40 percent. The new bridge will be a $2.1 billion construction project. Detroit Free Press.
Troy Mayor Janice Daniels Is No More: The morning after being recalled, the city "leader" whose one-year reign began under a cloud when she refused to swear the oath of office because she called Troy's City Charter a "whimsical document," was recalled by 52-48 percent She blamed media bias on radio host Charlie Langton's show this morning this morning, telling the AM 1270 audience: "We don’t have a media that’s fair. It’s been very biased against me since the beginning." Troy Patch
A wounded L. Brooks Patterson wins sixth term: Patterson, the 73-year-old Lion in Winter, easily defeated Democrat Kevin Howley of Huntington Woods despite having suffered serious injuries in an Aug. 10 auto accident that leaves him gaunt, sitting in a wheelchair and still undergoing physical therapy. With 86 percent of precincts counted, he led 56-43 percent. A question lingers: Will Patterson be able to complete his term? Detroit News.
Cooper Remains Oakland County prosecutor: County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper, a Democrat, apparently survived a challenge from Republican Mike Bishop, former state Senate majority leader. She became the county's first female prosecutor in 2008 and led this time by 51-45 percent with 86 percent of precincts reporting. Detroit Free Press
Mr. Bentivolio goes to Washington: Kerry Bentivolio is a veteran and a former teacher, a Santa Claus and a reindeer rancher. He has tea party views. He hardly campaigned. He refuses to speak to the media. But he easily defeated Dr. Syed Taj of Canton, and now will become U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, representing the 11th District in western Wayne and Oakland counties. Detroit Free Pess
Debbie Stabenaw crushes Hoekstra: Debbie Stabenow was a heavy favorite to win, and her opponent, Rep. Pete Hoekstra, not only ran a lame campaign, but seemed to think he needed to embrace the birther movement to win. This may just be another indication of the GOP's need to re-examine its love-fest with the tea party. The Detroit News
Detroiters say yes to marijuana: Passage of Proposal M -- for marijuana -- lets residents over 21 have small amounts of marijuana at home. It led by 65-35 percent with 80 percents of precincts counted. Proponents say Detroit, a city that's among the most violent in the country and is in the midst of a financial crisis, no longer has the police resources to go after people smoking small amounts of weed. The Detroit News
State Supreme Court: Republican-backed candidates appear likely to keep their majority. With 76 percent of precincts tallied, Conservative Justice Stephen Markman narrowly leads Democrat-backed Bridget Mary McCormack for first place. Republican-nominated Colleen O'Brien is a close third and GOP-nominated Justice Brian Zahra leads Democratic-backed Shelia Johnson 50- 41 percent for a partial term. The Detroit News
