Kate Segal wins House seat

Nick Schirripa • The Enquirer • November 5, 2008

Battle Creek Democrat Kate Segal won the state House District 62 seat Tuesday, defeating Athens Republican Greg Moore.

With 100 percent of votes in, Segal had an unofficial 25,011 votes, or 62 percent, while Moore had 15,419 or 38 percent.

Scores of supporters filled the ballroom of the Holiday Inn on Beckley Road late Tuesday as the results were announced.

Segal accepted the victory over loud cheers, and she said she is ready to take her priorities — affordable health care, jobs and education — to Lansing.

"This has been a remarkable night after months and months of really hard work," she said. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, but tonight is about celebrating all of the hard work."

Segal's victory might have been related partly to an apparent Democratic wave at polls. Several voters said Segal benefited from their support of Democratic president-elect Barack Obama.

Torrance Gupton, 38, of Roseneath Avenue, said Segal was one of his choices because Democrats represent change for him.

"Democrats all the way," he said of his ballot choices. "Obama's the only one who came with a plan for the economy. We gave Republicans eight years. The world is going to hell in a hand basket, so we need some new ideas."

David Poole, 48, of Roseneath Avenue said he voted for Segal, partly because of her reputation and partly because she's a Democrat.

"I know Greg (Moore) real well," he said. "He's a nice guy, but the Republican philosophy hasn't done real well for us the past couple years."

In her campaign, Segal has supported prevailing wage laws, more spending on education and a more concerted state effort to retrain displaced workers.

Moore's campaign has focused on smaller, more efficient state government, with priorities of the economy, health care, public safety and education.

Both candidates have said they would embrace bipartisan efforts in the state Capitol, would look at cutting Michigan legislators' salaries and health-care benefits, and held up the Calhoun County Health Plan as a potential statewide health-care model.

Late Tuesday, Moore said he was going to spend a few days with his family before making any decisions about his future.

"Obviously, this was an eventuality we considered," he said. "Clearly, there was a lot of straight-party Democrat voting, but elections are the most vicious job evaluation you can get. It's either 'yes' or 'no.' There's no middle ground."

State representatives earn $79,650 a year plus $12,000 for office expense. They are elected for two years and limited to three terms.

Nick Schirripa can be reached at 966-0692 or nschirrip@battlecr.gannett.com.

Originally published November 5, 2008
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