NATIONAL ELECTION RETURNS : EDITION-TIME COMPILATIONS : State-by-State Election Reports of Key Races and Issues : Michigan
Democratic Gov. James J. Blanchard swept to a landslide reelection victory, burying Republican William Lucas’ uphill struggle to become the nation’s first elected black governor.
Blanchard maintained the 35% lead that exit polls had given him over Lucas, a former FBI agent, former Democrat and outgoing chief executive of Detroit’s Wayne County. Pre-election polls showed Lucas favored by only 20% of blacks and 36% of the state’s whites, despite a strong endorsement from President Reagan.
Blanchard is a moderate liberal best known for his past congressional sponsorship of the loan bailout package that saved Chrysler Corp. from bankruptcy.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
