Michigan Senate: Levin to Retire, But Open Seat Remains Safe for Now
Democratic Sen. Carl Levin’s decision to not seek a seventh term certainly doesn’t come as a shock -- and it also doesn’t immediately warrant a change in how competitive his seat in Michigan should be viewed.
The rare open seat -- the last since Spencer Abraham (R) was elected in 1994 -- is sure to draw interest on both sides, but Democrats still start out with a distinct advantage, and Republican chances may not be fully realized until the GOP nominee comes into focus.
A long line of Democrats are likely to eye the seat: Rep. Gary Peters, former Rep. Mark Schauer, and 2010 secretary of state nominee Jocelyn Benson. Peters won a competitive member vs, member primary in 2010 against fellow Rep. Hansen Clarke, and observers say that he has been eyeing statewide office. But with GOP Gov. Rick Snyder’s poll number slipping, ambitious Democrats now have two statewide offices to consider.
http://rothenbergpoliticalreport.com/news/article/michigan-senate-levin-to-retire-but-open-seat-remains-safe-for-now
