The victors were celebrating across Michigan that night. In the Upper Peninsula, Bart Stupak was celebrating his reelection to an eighth term in Congress. On November 7, 2006, the Roman Catholic, pro-life, former police officer once again handily defeated the same Republican he had overcome in 2002 and 2004, each time more than doubling his opponent’s vote share.

Far to the southeastern part of the state, Joe Knollenberg was celebrating a much tighter race. Also a white, male, Roman Catholic, seven-term member of Congress, the incumbent was feeling the changing nature of his district – still able to rely on the Republican-leaning city of Troy and the conservative suburbs of Oakland County, but noticing the rising tide of Democratic support near Detroit, and a Democratic surge in the 2006 election year more generally. The previously safe Republican had to spend nearly $3 million to defeat his Democratic opponent by six points. Yet, despite a more uncertain race, and thus a more satisfying victory, Knollenberg’s celebration was perhaps a bit less enthusiastic than that of the Stupak camp.