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Michigan Democrats try to regroup for 2018 after losses

Posted at 9:22 AM, Nov 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-19 09:22:09-05

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Democrats disheartened by Republicans’ dominance of state-level elections have taken comfort in winning big federal races.

But President-elect Donald Trump’s narrow lead over Hillary Clinton in Michigan — which awaits certification by Nov. 28 — has left Democrats to ruminate over what went wrong and to try to rebuild for 2018.

Democrats generally agree the message was lacking — specifically not enough attention on pocketbook issues in a state still recovering from the Great Recession.

When Barack Obama isn’t on the ballot, Democrats have struggled with turnout.

Republicans’ control of the White House and Congress could be a bonus for Democrats in 2018, when a new governor will be elected.

The last time a gubernatorial candidate won Michigan and was from the same party as the president was 1990.