While Michigan Democrats believe that Republican Gov. Rich Snyder is on political thin ice and can be defeated next year, they are having a hard time finding a candidate.
Having won national attention for signing his union heavy-state's "right to work" law last year, Snyder has a 38 percent positive rating and 60 percent negative rating among likely voters statewide, according to a just-completed Geoff Garin poll. The survey found Snyder barely edges a generic Democrat, 40 percent to 38 percent.
Three-term Democratic Rep. Gary Peters was considered a strong contender but opted for the Senate race after Democratic incumbent Carl Levin announced his retirement.
State Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer also explored the race but announced she would not run.
Garin did test former Rep. Mark Schauer -- who was beaten for re-election in 2010 by Republican Tim Walberg -- and the poll found him defeating Snyder by 54 percent to 38 percent. Schauer has yet to say whether he will run.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax.
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