Thanks Dick Devos

In 2006, Governor Jennifer Granholm faced an aggressive challenge from billionaire Dick DeVos, the founder of Amway. Polls showed the race within the margin of error throughout most of the year.

The steady decline in Michigan manufacturing jobs had caused a decline in support for the Governor among union members who had been critical to her narrow 51% victory in 2002. We needed to win overwhelmingly among union members in order to secure reelection.

We had to show that Dick DeVos and his business practices contributed to the economic problems facing Michigan. Our polling showed that union members were unwilling to consider DeVos once they learned that he had outsourced jobs to China.

This off-beat piece delivered our outsourcing message to 51,000 Teamster households. DeVos was never able to make significant inroads among union members and Governor Granholm won a solid 56% to 42% victory.