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Debbie Stabenow wins re-election to U.S. Senate

Posted at 12:05 AM, Nov 07, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-07 10:56:29-05

The Associated Press has called the race between incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican opponent John James.

Stabenow has won a fourth term.

"This Election Day, Debbie Stabenow did what she's always done — won the overwhelming support of a state that loves her as much as she loves it. Senator Stabenow has spent her entire career fighting for working families, standing up for farmers and small-business owners, and protecting the Great Lakes, our most precious natural resource. We are thrilled to say that both our great state and the U.S. Senate will have another six years of Senator Stabenow's incredible leadership." Michigan Democratic Party on Stabenow's behalf.

Stabenow campaigned as a pragmatic lawmaker who forges bipartisan agreement despite the partisan rancor in Washington. She cited her work shaping farm legislation and pushing a new law that allows pharmacists to tell consumers when they can save on prescriptions by paying cash instead of using insurance.

The 68-year-old Stabenow, of Lansing, criticized Trump's attempt to slash federal funding for the Great Lakes. She said James would have been an unabashed enthusiast of President Donald Trump with no governing experience.

Trump won Michigan in 2016 and called James, a black combat veteran and business executive, "a star" candidate.

Earlier this week in Lansing, Stabenow told News 10 she was feeling confident about her party's chances of regaining control in Washington.

"I feel very good that we'll take back the U.S House, and I hope I'm going to come roaring back with the help of people in Lansing," she said. "And I think it will be close in the Senate. But it will give us the opportunity to turn the corner and focus on the priorities that are so important for our families."

Republicans controlled state government, and Democrats are eager to bounce back after being out of power for eight years.