Brandon, White elected regents

One Democrat and one Republican narrowly edged their opponents, including one incumbent, in the University Board of Regents race with 92 percent of the votes tallied at 3:47 a.m.

Democratic regent candidate Kathy White and Republican David Brandon captured seats on the board, each receiving 25 percent of the vote.

Not re-capturing his seat as the senior member of the board, Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) received 22 percent. Power has served since 1987. State Rep. Jessie Dalman (R-Holland) received 23 percent.

Early results mirrored the early morning tallies, but from the time the polls closed at 8 p.m., the standings shifted as precincts continued to report their totals throughout the night.

The Democrat and Republican taking the top two spots maintain the political makeup of the University's elected board, which currently has a 5-3 Democrat-Republican ratio.

Although this year's election was the first political race for White - a Wayne State University Law professor with a background in the U.S. military, electrical engineering and patent law - it reminded her of another familiar contest.

Referring to some words of advice her Ann Arbor Pioneer High School cross country coach gave her, White said she is a winner for persevering and seeing the election through to the end.

"I was reminded of that today," said White, who was surrounded by family in Detroit. "Win or lose, this has been a wonderful experience."

Brandon, a successful business executive from Plymouth who chairs Central Michigan University's Board of Trustees, had been optimistic since early in the evening. He and other confident Republican supporters joined Gov. Engler on stage following the governor's victory speech at about 10 p.m. at the Lansing Center.

"We worked extremely hard to campaign ... to introduce our candidacy to the state. We feel confident that we did all we could do," Brandon said at 2:45 a.m. "I've been patiently waiting for the results ever since the polls closed."

Brandon said he is pleased with his party's success in the state.

"I'm proud to be running as part of the Engler ticket," Brandon said. "I'm glad I'm with Gov. Engler, particularly from the higher education perspective. If I'm going to be a part of all this, that's great."

Candidates focused on several issues during this campaign year, including lowering the cost of tuition, increasing the amount of technology coming out of the University to raise revenue and affirmative action in light of the University's admissions policies.

Power, who turned into bed before midnight, said he was not discouraged by Engler's landslide. He said the governor's race in Michigan generally is not the tell-tale sign of how regents fair.

"I'm cautiously optimistic because of how well (Attorney General candidate) Jennifer Granholm ran," Power said.

Like Brandon, Dalman remained strongly supportive of her campaign stances hours after Engler gave his victory address.

"Tuition will always be the big issue," Dalman said. "Tuition and cost containment. I think it is for most parents, too."

She said that although Engler's victory made her feel more comfortable, she knew it would be a close race.

"This race is more closely tied to a victory of the Republican party," Dalman said, adding that she intended to remain awake until early in the morning to hear the final results.

Dalman's race for a spot on the board follows 10 previous political campaigns, all successful.

As a state representative, Dalman served on two higher education committees, and is leaving the House because of term limits.

Power owns and operates more than 40 newspapers in the state of Michigan and has served on the board - once appointed and once elected - for 11 years.

Each candidate, except White, attended the University.

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