Snyder, backers celebrate GOP victory

YPSILANTI, Mich. (WOOD) - Ann Arbor businessman and GOP candidate for governor Rick Snyder gathered with his supporters at the Marriott in Ypsilanti on Tuesday evening to celebrate his win in the Michigan primary.

The former Gateway Inc. president ran against Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and state Sen. Tom George for the Republican nomination.

His new opponent is Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, who led the most recent EPIC-MRA poll conducted by WOOD TV8 and our media partners by eight points.

Snyder spent $6 million of his own money running ads noting he wasn't a career politician and promising a different approach to righting the economically troubled state.

Bernero beat his primary challenger with support from traditional party activists such as unions and abortion rights supporters. That could make it tougher for him to attract independents in the general election.

Some Democrats voted for Snyder, but he also lost votes of Republicans who dislike his support for embryonic stem cell research.

Watch the video for reports from Ypsilanti with Marc Thompson. 

Snyder is scheduled for an appearance on 24 Hour News 8 Daybreak. He will be on at 6:07 a.m. Wednesday.