I am writing about all the competitive senate races. These diaries will be updated on Yahoo! as I hear about new material. I have articles about:
AK-Sen
AR-Sen
CO-Sen
GA-Sen
IA-Sen
KY-Sen
LA-Sen
MI-Sen
MT-Sen
NH-Sen
NC-Sen
SD-Sen
For what I have on Michigan, as of April 14, follow me below.
Michigan politics
In elections for President, Michigan has been quite Democratic: In 2012, Obama beat Romney 54-46; in 2008, he beat McCain 57-41.
Statewide, in 2008, Levin won easily over Jack Hoogendyk and Michigan's other senator, Debbie Stabenow, is a Democrat who also wins election easily. Michigan's governor, Rick Snyder, is a Republican. Michigan has 14 representatives in the House including 5 Democrats and 9 Republicans.
The Senate race
Although there are primaries in both parties, the clear leaders are Terri Lynn Land for the Republicans and Gary Peters for the Democrats.
Land is a former secretary of state for Michigan. On the Issues rates here a "moderate libertarian conservative". She is anti-choice, opposed re-opening the government, opposes same sex marriage, favors Keystone, opposes gun control; given that she has not been a member of Congress, On the Issues does not have a position for her on every issue.
Gary Peters is a member of the House of Representatives. On the Issues rates him a "populist leaning liberal". He is pro-choice, has a strong pro-civil rights and pro-environment history, opposes free trade and supports ObamaCare.
The polls:
All recent polls show a close race, most with Land slightly ahead, although the most recent poll, by Clarity Campaigns, showed Peters with a 6 point lead.
April 3 - A poll by Marketing Research Group finds Land up, 40-38
April 9 - A poll by PPP finds Peters up by 5
Fundraising
According to the FEC, at the end of 2013, Peters had raised $3.5 million and had $2.9 million cash on hand; Land had raised $3.7 million and had $3.3 million cash on hand
April 9 - In the first quarter, Land raised $1.4 million
My take
Everything here points to a close race.