Decoration Inspection Unit #K9

A status quo election

Electoral vote: 303-206; Florida's 29 votes still up in the air

Popular vote: Obama 50%, Romney 48%

Michigan: Obama 53%, Romney 46%; Networks called Michigan for Obama right at 9:00.

US Senate: Democrats will retain majority, as Elizabeth Warren and Joe Donnelly gain seats for the Democrats. Democrats had been expected to lose control of the Senate until just a couple months ago; instead, Dems didn't even suffer a net loss of seats. The only seat to go from blue to red was in Nebraska. Congratulations to Senators-elect Elizabeth Warren, Tim Kaine, Chris Murphy, Mazie Hirono, and America's first openly GLBT Senator, Tammy Baldwin! Here in Michigan, it's Stabenow in a landslid; she will be one of 19 (maybe 20) women in the US Senate - an all-time record.

US House: Republicans will stay in charge, but with a slimmer majority. Bentivolio and Amash win; Benishek had a narrow lead at 4:30 AM.

State Supreme Court: Republicans retain majority. Markman and Zahra win reelection. Bridget Mary McCormack wins the seat of retiring Justice Marilyn Kelly.

State House: Gongwer reports Republicans will retain a 59-51 majority. Tough to swallow, but Democrats had so many obstacles to overcome, including name recognition and money. Bolger narrowly won re-election.

Statewide ballot proposals: All six are defeated. The conservative cry of "hands off our Constitution" appears to have worked. Good news is that it took the "choice on the bridge" and 2/3 proposals down too. (The 2/3 proposal went down 69-31%, thank goodness.) Elsewhere in the country, two states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and three (possibly four) states have approved marriage equality.

Other races: Oakland County saw Democrats gain two countywide offices; State Rep. Lisa Brown (fanous for other reasons) defeated Republican County Clerk Bill Bullard (Ruth Johnson's successor to the same position), while Jim Nash beat an incumbent to be elected Water Resources Commissioner. Troy Mayor Janice Daniels, a Tea Party darling, has been recalled. Rep. Mark Schauer's wife, Christine, is Treasurer-elect of Calhoun County. And from the Every Vote Really Does Count Department, Union Township Supervisor John Barker appears to have been re-elected by three votes, while a Democrat running for County Commissioner here in Kentwood is ahead by five votes.

A great night for Democrats nationally, but not so much in Michigan. Expect a lot of hand-wringing in the aftermath of the defeats of props 2-4, and in light of the fact that in a year like this, Democrats couldn't take back the State House or Supreme Court.

Still, I am proud of our President for all he has done and for all he will do!