Byrum's base of Ingham County, which includes the state capital of Lansing and is the district's most populous jurisdiction, has a slight Democratic lean. Livingston County, which includes Rogers's hometown, is a growing exurban area with a decided Republican tilt. In the 1996 presidential race, the 8th gave 49 percent of its votes to President Clinton and 41 percent to Republican Bob Dole, which exactly mirrored the national vote breakdown. The House victory of Republican Dick Chrysler in 1994, a strong GOP year, and his defeat by Stabenow in 1996, when Clinton was re-elected, also reflected national trends. Few issue differences have surfaced thus far.
Education is likely to emerge as a key difference.
Running to the Center With their party nominations all but sealed up, Byrum and Rogers already are mining the 8th's ample independent vote. In 1996, just two other Michigan districts gave Reform Party presidential candidate Ross Perot a greater share of the vote than the 8th. Rogers is marketing himself to non-Republicans as a more effective legislator than Byrum. Rogers is the state Senate majority floor leader, the No. 2 position in the Republican leadership. And in a seat where it's 50-50, to me that's really important.