Rick Snyder
Rick Snyder (born August 19, 1958, in Battle Creek, Michigan) was the 48th Republican Governor of Michigan. He served in the post from January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2019.[1]
An analysis of Republican governors by Nate Silver of the New York Times in April 2013 ranked Snyder as the 28th most conservative governor in the country.[2]
Snyder was named one of nine Public Officials of the Year by Governing in November 2014. The magazine noted that Snyder was given the honor because he "brought risk-taking and performance management to the governor's office in Michigan."[3]
Snyder first won election in 2010, defeating Democrat Virg Bernero in the November 2, 2010 general election.[4][5] Snyder won re-election in November, 2014. Snyder was prevented by term limits from seeking a third term in 2018.
Biography
A native of Battle Creek, Michigan, Snyder attended the University of Michigan system where he also briefly taught accounting.[6] He graduated with distinction in 1977 with his bachelor's of general studies, and then again in 1979, with an advanced degree in business administration. Snyder then entered University of Michigan's law school.
After completing his J.D. in 1982, Snyder joined Coopers & Lybrand. He remained there for nine years before accepting a position with Gateway as an executive vice president. He became the company's president & COO in 1996, leaving the company in 1997.[7][8]
Education
- Bachelor's of general studies with distinction - University of Michigan (1977)
- M.B.A. - University of Michigan Business School (1979)
- J.D. - University of Michigan Law School (1982)
Political career
Governor of Michigan (2011-2019)
Snyder was first elected in 2010 and re-elected again in 2014.[9][10][11][12][13]
During his time in office, he:
- Passed legislation limiting collective bargaining rights for public employees.
- Appointed an emergency manager to oversee Detroit's budget.
- Implemented pension policy changes.
- Passed and implemented a right-to-work policy.
Elections
2018
- See also: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2018
Rick Snyder was not able to file for re-election due to term limits.
2014
- See also: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2014
Snyder ran for re-election in 2014. He entered the race on April 17, 2014, less than a week before the candidate filing deadline. Snyder was unopposed in the Republican primary election on August 5, 2014.[1] He faced Mark Schauer ((D), Mary Buzuma (L), Mark McFarlin (I) and Paul Homeniuk (G) in the general election. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Results
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Rick Snyder/Brian Calley Incumbent |
50.9% | 1,607,399 | |
| Democratic | Mark Schauer/Lisa Brown | 46.9% | 1,479,057 | |
| Libertarian | Mary Buzuma/Scott Boman | 1.1% | 35,723 | |
| U.S. Taxpayers | Mark McFarlin/Richard Mendoza | 0.6% | 19,368 | |
| Green | Paul Homeniuk/Candace R. Caveny | 0.5% | 14,934 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0% | 50 | |
| Total Votes | 3,156,531 | |||
| Election results via Michigan Department of State | ||||
Campaign media
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Endorsements
Snyder received the endorsement of the Michigan Farm Bureau's AgriPAC ahead of the general election.[14]
2010
- See also: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2010
Snyder first won election in 2010.[15] He won by more than 18 points with 44.34 percent of eligible voters turning out. [16]
| Governor of Michigan, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Rick Snyder |
58.1% | 1,874,834 | |
| Democratic | Virg Bernero | 39.9% | 1,287,320 | |
| Green | Harley Mikkelson | 0.6% | 20,699 | |
| U.S. Taxpayers | Stacey Mathia | 0.6% | 20,818 | |
| Libertarian | Ken Proctor | 0.7% | 22,390 | |
| Write-in | Write-in candidates | 0% | 27 | |
| Total Votes | 3,226,088 | |||
The primary was held August 3, 2010. Snyder's win was a slight upset in the GOP field. However, he had polled strongly against Democrat Virg Bernero since before the primary and led by double digits in the first post-primary surveys taken.
| Governor of Michigan, 2010 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Rick Snyder |
36.4% | 381,588 |
| Pete Hoekstra | 26.9% | 281,695 |
| Mike Cox | 23% | 240,677 |
| Mike Bouchard | 12.2% | 127,422 |
| Tom George | 1.6% | 17,002 |
| Total Votes | 1,048,384 | |
Campaign themes
2014
In November 2013, Democratic candidate Mark Schauer said if elected he would raise the minimum wage from $7.40 an hour to $9.25 an hour over a three-year period. Snyder's office said the minimum wage had not been a major issue as the state was already above the federal rate of $7.25 an hour.[17]
Recalls
Snyder was the subject of proposed recall efforts throughout the course of his terms in office.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Noteworthy events
2021
- See also: News in Context: The Flint Water Crisis
On January 13, Snyder was charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty for the contamination of Flint's water supply that occurred during his tenure as governor. On January 14, Snyder pleaded not guilty to both charges, and a judge set his bond at $10,000 and ordered him not to leave the state before his next court hearing on January 19. If convicted, Snyder faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. Snyder's attorney, Brian Lennon, said "We believe there is no evidence to support any criminal charges against Governor Snyder" and that state prosecutors had not provided any details on the case. Bryant Nolden, a member of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners, said "The buck stopped at Governor Snyder. He was the one that put the people in place that actually did this. We have to see how this all plays out, but I'm very happy to hear that some folks are going to be held accountable at the highest level."[18]
In a January 19 hearing, attorneys for Snyder called for the charges against him to be dismissed because they were filed in Genesee County. In a letter to prosecutors, attorney Brian Lennon said “Neither of these allegations of non-feasance, or failure to act, occurred while the former Governor was in the City of Flint. At all times set forth in the Indictment, our client was the presiding governor of the State of Michigan with the Executive Office of the Governor located at the Romney Building in downtown Lansing.” The letter was submitted as part of the defense's request for evidence, including documents, from the prosecution. The next hearing on the case was held on February 23.[19] Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud said that superseding indictments could be filed against Snyder if new evidence was discovered. "Like any criminal case, as this case goes on, new evidence comes up, new evidence comes forward. We're not going to turn a blind eye to that," Hammond said.[20]
2016
Flint water crisis
- See also: News in Context: The Flint Water Crisis
In January 2016, Governor Snyder declared a state of emergency over elevated lead levels in the drinking water in Flint, Michigan. On January 7, Snyder refused to say when he knew the Flint water crisis was being mishandled. The crisis began when Flint switched water sources in April 2014 to cut costs and resulted in children being poisoned by the lead in the water.[21]
An internal email obtained by Virginia Tech researchers showed that the governor's office knew months prior about the problem; Snyder's then-chief of staff Dennis Muchmore mentioned his frustration over the issue in July.[21]
In response to a question at the January press conference, held with the mayor of Flint, Snyder said, "We want to work closely together to earn the trust of the people of Flint."[21] He said after the meeting that there would be an interagency group to work on more lead testing, more water filters and long term followups on people exposed to the lead. Snyder apologized for the crisis and said, "This is a situation that no one wished would have ever happened."[21]
After national attention to the issue, Snyder devoted most of his January 19, 2016, state of the state address to discussing and apologizing for the crisis.[22]
2015
Stance on Syrian refugee resettlement
- Main article: U.S. governors and their responses to Syrian refugees
Following the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, in which members of the Islamic State (ISIS) killed at least 129 people and wounded more than 350, reports surfaced showing that one of the terrorists responsible for the attacks in Paris may have come to France posing as a Syrian refugee.[23] Many governors issued statements of support or opposition to President Obama’s plan to allow 10,000 new Syrian refugees into the United States. Snyder had opposition to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state of Michigan. He said the state would "put on hold our efforts to accept new refugees...Michigan is a welcoming state and we are proud of our rich history of immigration. But our first priority is protecting the safety of our residents."[24]
Veto of concealed-carry weapon provision
On January 15, 2015, Snyder opposed Republican legislators and the National Rifle Association (NRA) by vetoing a state Senate provision that would have expanded eligibility for concealed weapon permits. Senate Bill 789, sponsored by state Sen. Mike Green (R), included a provision allowing applicants under personal protection orders to receive permits as long as they were eligible for permits and gun ownership was not restricted by existing orders.[25]
Snyder faced pressure from Democratic legislators including U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords to veto the measure. This opposition centered on potential access to concealed weapons by perpetrators of domestic abuse. Supporters of the bill including the NRA argued that felony convictions for domestic violence would invalidate concealed weapon access. They also noted that personal protection orders are issued under less rigorous standards than other judgments. In vetoing Senate Bill 789, Snyder stated, "There are certainly some reforms that can improve the way Michigan issues concealed pistol licenses and we support the rights of law-abiding firearm owners, but it's crucial that we leave in place protections for people who already have endured challenges and abuse."[25]
2013
Affordable Care Act
On February 6, 2013, Snyder spoke in support of a 25 percent expansion of Michigan's Medicaid rolls under the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. "We're all here to support expanding Medicaid...We're moving forward with care for people who need it," he said to a coalition of groups advocating for Michigan's inclusion in the optional federal program.[26] Under the Affordable Care Act, states were promised three free years of expansion before the federal government began paring back its funding. Sen. Roger Kahn (R), the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, argued that starting with the reduction of federal support to 90 percent scheduled for 2017, the state would owe an estimated $150 million-$200 million per year, not adjusting for inflation. Snyder argued that adding 470,000 low income Michigan residents who were then ineligible for Medicaid to the rolls would not have to drain the state's coffers. His 2014 fiscal budget proposal to the Legislature included putting $103 million in a health savings account, where half of the state's savings from no longer having to pay for mental health services be set aside for 2017. "This is all about providing better care at a lower cost," Snyder said.[26][27][28][29][30][31][32]
On September 3, 2013, the House gave final legislative approval to the plan to expand eligibility in the state, with Snyder signing it into law on September 16. In doing so, Michigan became the third state controlled by a GOP-led legislature to pass expansion.[33][34]
“We’ve got a lot of hard work to go, now that this legislation comes in place, to get people signed up; to educate people about how we need to do this appropriately; about how we can do personal responsibility and wellness with people in need, and create this better system," Snyder said.[35]
Detroit bankruptcy
- See also: Detroit, Michigan bankruptcy, 2013
On July 18, 2013, Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr decided to file for bankruptcy for the city, making it the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy protection. Snyder, who early in his term pressed for increasing the state's ability to intervene in cities and schools that were under severe financial pressure, approved of the move, saying, "We looked through every other viable option."[36]
Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee
In October 2013, Snyder was appointed Vice Chair of the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee in the National Governors Association by NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and NGA Vice Chair Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.[37]
Job creation ranking
A June 2013 analysis by The Business Journals ranked 45 governors based on the annual private sector growth rate in all 50 states using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Snyder was ranked number 9. The five governors omitted from the analysis all assumed office in 2013.[38][39]
2012
Presidential preference
2012
Rick Snyder endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[40][41][42][43][44]
Snyder said of Romney, “He has a great combination of private sector experience, of knowing what it takes to create a job, and how difficult that is, how to succeed in the private sector. He also brings that experience of being the chief executive of a state, of understanding what it is to be in the public sector, and to be successful in running a state. That’s the experience we need in Washington.”[45][46][47]
2011
Tax reform
Snyder promised during his 2010 campaign to eliminate the Michigan business tax, which critics argued was costly and difficult to calculate. He signed a bill in June 2011 replacing the tax with a flat 6 percent corporate income tax, estimating the state would recover the $1.8 billion in lost business tax revenues with $1.5 billion in higher personal income tax revenues. Michigan law at the time required the state income tax to drop to 3.9 percent by 2015. Governor Snyder's measure kept the income tax rate at a rate of 4.35 percent until January 1, 2013, when it dropped to 4.25 percent. During 2011, Michigan also became the first state in more than 50 years to cut state-level unemployment benefits.[48]
Snyder was also able to secure a measure to extend the state's income tax to pensions, a move the governor said would bring $343 million in new revenue during the coming fiscal year. Public employees, who stood to lose about $90 million of the $343 million total, reacted with outrage. The Michigan State Employees Association promised to file a lawsuit to block the pension tax provision, arguing that taxing state employee pensions violated the constitutional prohibition against "impairing or diminishing a vested public pension." Snyder beat employees to the punch, asking the state supreme court to issue an advisory opinion on the issue by October 1.[49] On November 18, 2011, the court ruled in favor of Snyder, allowing the pension tax to proceed.[50]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Snyder and his wife, Sue, married in 1987, When he served as governor, they resided in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with their three children.[6]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Rick Snyder Michigan Governor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Michigan | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Executive actions:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Governing, Michigan Governor Announces Re-election Bid, Despite Controversies, February 4, 2014
- ↑ New York Times, "In State Governments, Signs of a Healthier G.O.P.," April 16, 2013
- ↑ Governing, "Public Officials of the Year: 2014 Honorees," accessed November 18, 2014
- ↑ ABC 11, " Snyder wins governor's race," November 3, 2010
- ↑ MLive, "Rick Snyder wins 2010 Michigan governor's race, according to various exit polls," November 2, 2010
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Michigan.gov, " Meet the governor," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ Rick for Michigan, "Homepage," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ Project vote Smart, "Governor Rick Snyder's biography," accessed June 26, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder signs bills related to Bridge Card use, health care, election boards," June 11, 2013
- ↑ Salon, "Michigan governor: Detroit’s art museum is an “asset” ," June 9, 2013
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Editorial: It's time Gov. Rick Snyder tried transparency himself," June 6, 2013
- ↑ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, "Consul General Zhao Weiping met with governor of Michigan Rick Snyder," June 5, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder requests presidential emergency declaration for spring flood," June 7, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Farm Bureau, "2014 General Election Endorsements," accessed September 25, 2014
- ↑ Facebook, " Rick Snyder for Michigan," access to June 26, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Department of State, "General Election Results: OFFICIAL," November 19, 2010 at 15:10, accessed November 30, 2010
- ↑ [http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/11/gov_rick_snyders_office_raisin.html MLive, " Gov. Rick Snyder's office: Raising minimum wage not a burning issue, not the only way to help workers," November 18, 2013]
- ↑ NBC News, "Former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder charged in Flint water crisis," January 14, 2021
- ↑ Associated Press, "Attorneys: Ex-governor charged in wrong county over Flint," January 19, 2021
- ↑ Business Insider, "Michigan's solicitor general says the state may file more indictments against former Gov. Rick Snyder in the Flint water case," January 19, 2021
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Stephanie Gosk, Tim Sandler, Hannah Rappleye and Tracy Connor, NBC News, "Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder mum on what he knew about Flint water," January 7, 2016
- ↑ Julie Bosman and Mitch Smith, New York Times, "Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan apologizes in Flint water crisis," January 19, 2016
- ↑ Washington Post, "Were Syrian refugees involved in the Paris attacks? What we know and don’t know," November 17, 2015
- ↑ WFMZ News, "31 states oppose taking Syrian refugees," November 17, 2015
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Detroit Free-Press, "Governor vetoes gun bill criticized by women's groups," January 15, 2015
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Governing.com, "On Medicaid Expansion, Michigan GOP Gov. Snyder Will Need Legislature's Support," February 7, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Critics challenge Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on transparency as court orders disclosure from aide," June 12, 2013
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Tea party group threatens to pull support of Gov. Rick Snyder over proposed Medicaid expansion," June 11, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder unfazed by Tea Party opposition to Medicaid plan: 'I was hired to do the right thing'," June 14, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Tim Skubick: The long road to Medicaid expansion in Michigan," June 18, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs 'solid' $49.5 billion budget short on money for Medicaid expansion," June 13, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "Tim Skubick: Gov. Rick Snyder stands up to Tea Party; time will tell if that matters," June 16, 2013
- ↑ Mlive, "Michigan House gives final approval to Medicaid expansion, sending bill to Gov. Rick Snyder," September 3, 2013
- ↑ MLive, "With Medicaid win, did Gov. Rick Snyder lose some Republicans? Tea party talks potential primary," September 5, 2013
- ↑ CBS Detroit, "Gov. Snyder Signs Medicaid Expansion Bill," September 16, 2013
- ↑ KYPost, "Detroit bankruptcy: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder says Motor City made right choice," July 22, 2013
- ↑ NGA News Release NGA Chooses New Committee Leadership, E-mail communication to Kristen Mathews October 23, 2013
- ↑ The Business Journals, "Governors and jobs: How governors rank for job creation in their states," June 27, 2013
- ↑ The Business Journals, "How state governors rank on their job-growth record," June 27, 2013
- ↑ The Detroit News, "Snyder endorses Romney for GOP nomination," February 16, 2012
- ↑ Michigan Radio, " Snyder endorsing Romney," February 16, 2012
- ↑ USA Today, "Michigan Gov. Snyder endorses Romney for president," February 16, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post, "Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder to endorse Romney," February 15, 2012
- ↑ Real Clear Politics, "Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Endorses Romney," February 16, 2012
- ↑ The New York Times, "Michigan Governor Endorses Romney, Calling Him a ‘Native Son’," February 16, 2012
- ↑ MLive, "Will Gov. Rick Snyder's Mitt Romney endorsement hurt Rick Santorum?" February 16, 2012
- ↑ MLive, "Q&A: Michigan Governor Rick Snyder explains why he endorsed Mitt Romney for president," February 17, 2012
- ↑ Stateline.org, "States balance budgets with cuts, not taxes," June 15, 2011(Archived)
- ↑ Mlive.com, "Gov. Rick Snyder asks Supreme Court to protect new tax on pensions," June 2, 2011
- ↑ MLive, "Gov. Rick Snyder wins major tax ruling at Michigan Supreme Court," November 18, 2011
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