Lansing Mayor Surging in Democratic Primary

After a grueling primary campaign, it looks like Democrats have finally found a gubernatorial front-runner just days before the primary. A Detroit Free Press/WXYZ-Channel 7 poll has shown Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has taken an eight point lead over Secretary of State Andy Dillon over registered voters and a 12 point lead over likely voters.

In a state crippled by the recession, Bernero has won over many undecided voters on the strength of the Lansing economy, which in turn has translated into endorsements from several unions such as the AFL-CIO, UAW, AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers Michigan and UFCW. Bernero also leads Dillon among pro-choice voters, and he has secured the endorsements from high-profile environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. Put all three groups together and you get three of the biggest constituencies of the Democratic base and a front runner in the Democratic Michigan gubernatorial primary.