Snyder has big lead in race for Michigan governor

Backed by the support of organized labor, Bernaro edged centrist Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon in the Democratic primary but has been unable to distance himself from unpopular incumbent Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), who is term-limited this year. Most polls are predicting big gains this autumn for the Republicans in Michigan, which has been hit heavily by the economic downturn and turmoil in the domestic auto industry.

Snyder is just one of several former technology executives running for office this year as Republicans; others include former Hewlett-Packard chief executive Carly Fiorina, who is running against incumbent Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), and former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman, the Republican nominee for governor of California.