Republican Rick Snyder, Political Newcomer, Wins Michigan Governor's Primary

Rick Snyder, the Gateway computer entrepreneur and political novice, stunned six-term Congressman Pete Hoekstra to win the Republican nomination for Michigan governor. According to the Detroit Free Press, Snyder led the five-man GOP field with 36.8 percent of the vote, with Hoekstra trailing closest with 27.3 percent.

Snyder will face Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, the Democratic nominee, in the November general election. Bernero trounced his primary opponent Andy Dillon with 61 percent of the vote.

Snyder has never served in public office. He spent $6 million of his own fortune to finance his campaign, and used the memorable slogan "one tough nerd" to introduce himself to Michigan voters.

Further down the ballot, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick failed to fend off an aggressive challenge in the Democratic primary by state Sen. Hansen Clarke.

The seven-term congresswoman is the mother of Detroit's embattled former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, who left office in disgrace last year after a sex scandal and is currently in prison for violating his probation related to corruption charges dating back to his his time in office. Polls prior to the race showed the former mayor's problems dragging down his mother's political fortunes.