Former Gov. James Blanchard is the preliminary favorite to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for Michigan’s 2002 gubernatorial election, according to a new poll.
Blanchard led Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Rep. David Bonior, D-Mount Clemens, by wide margins. State Sens. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, and Alma Wheeler Smith, D-Salem Township, also received some support.
A separate poll measured overall support. Blanchard and Granholm both led Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, the preliminary Republican favorite. Bonior and Posthumus were about even.
The surveys released last week were conducted by Lansing-based EPIC/MRA.
The polling firm questioned 600 voters on their general election preferences.
In addition, 400 Democratic voters shared their preferences for the party’s nominee.
“It is not an indication of in the end what will happen,” said Ed Sarpolus, vice president for EPIC/MRA. “It shows what could happen if people don’t change their images and look at some issues.”
The Democratic primary poll showed Blanchard with 42 percent, Granholm with 27 percent and Bonior with 16 percent. The poll has a five-point margin of error.
“It doesn’t mean that’ll last a year from now,” Sarpolus said. “This poll tells you where things were at today.”
Blanchard, who served as governor from 1983 to 1990, filed paperwork to form a campaign committee last month. Peters and Wheeler Smith have also filed paperwork.
“It shows that any of our top three Democratic candidates are already beating Dick Posthumus,” said Dennis Denno, a spokesman for the Democratic Party. “I think that it shows that this early on we have some candidates that can take on what the Republicans have to offer.”
Blanchard led Posthumus 53 to 32 percent, with 15 percent undecided in the poll of a two-way race between the candidates. The poll has a four-point margin of error.
“Lieutenant Governor Posthumus has never been one to take polls really seriously, especially this far from the election,” said Matt Resch, press secretary for Posthumus. “The last election is just a few months old, and trying to make predictions this far in advance really isn’t an accurate indication of what will happen on Election Day.
“At this point, polls keep the pollsters employed and keep the pundits talking.”
