Marlinga Eyes State Senate
By Chad Selweski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer
Poll resurrects former prosecutor's political possibilities
Carl Marlinga has been seeking a way to re-enter the political arena and a new poll swings the door wide open for him to jump into the state Senate race in central Macomb County.
The former Macomb County prosecutor commissioned a poll that shows the Sterling Heights Democrat with a huge lead over potential 2010 primary opponents in the 10th District, which comprises Sterling Heights, Utica, Clinton Township and Roseville.
According to the telephone poll, conducted Nov. 19-22, Marlinga enjoys support from 42 percent of likely Democratic voters. County board Chairman Paul Gieleghem of Clinton Township was second at 16 percent, state Rep. Tory Rocca was
close behind at 13 percent, and county Commissioner Carey Torrice garnered just 2 percent. Some 26 percent of respondents were undecided.
"This is as good as it could get. I'm happy and relieved that … I could go forward if I choose to," said Marlinga, who served 20 years as prosecutor before becoming embroiled in criminal charges that accused him of trading favors for campaign contributions. "I commissioned a poll to see if this was a pipe dream or if it was doable. And this shows me it's doable."
Marlinga said he will not make an announcement about his political future until January, but all indications are that he will run for the seat that is being vacated by term-limited Sen. Michael "Mickey" Switalski.
The survey found Marlinga has especially strong support among women, seniors and voters in Sterling Heights and Roseville. In Clinton Township, Gieleghem's home turf, the former lawman holds a slight lead over the county board chairman.
The poll, conducted by East Lansing-based Denno-Noor polling firm, surveyed 400 likely Democratic primary voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points. Pollster Dennis Denno said that Marlinga worked with him on the wording of some questions, but the pollster stands by the reliability of the survey.
One revelatory section of the poll provided a two-sentence biographical summary on each of the four potential candidates and asked for voters' reactions. A reference to Marlinga's 20 years as prosecutor, followed by accusations that he was allegedly "fixing cases," was a wash with voters — 36 percent said they were more likely to vote for him, 40 percent said less likely.
In contrast, a reference to actress/model Torrice posting some of her glamour shots on her Web site resulted in 55 percent of respondents declaring they would be less likely to vote for the commissioner.
Yet, the biographical information had little impact. On a repeat question at the end of the survey asking voters if they had changed their mind about their preferred candidate, the numbers shifted very little.
Gieleghem said he would not comment on the survey until he had the opportunity to study the way in which it was conducted.
Rocca was included in the poll because he has been making noises behind the scenes about switching from the Republican Party to the Democrats. Political observers believe that Rocca, son of former state representative Sal Rocca and county Commissioner Sue Rocca, will run for Senate but hasn't decided which party label to wear.
Rocca could not be reached for comment.
Another portion of the poll, which was not made public, tested Marlinga's countywide strength as a 2010 candidate for Macomb County executive. The results showed, Marlinga said, that county Sheriff Mark Hackel is "so far out in the lead" that running for executive is not an option for the former prosecutor.
Marlinga said he will spend much of December making "courtesy calls" to Democratic Party leaders, union officials and Switalski before making a decision on a Senate candidacy in early January.
While the 2010 elections are nearly a year away, Denno said the polling data reveals Marlinga as the "clear frontrunner" in the 10th District race.
"I think it shows that Carl Marlinga is doing really well. People like him and his (2004) indictment hasn't really hurt him," Denno said.
For Marlinga, the survey represents nothing less than a political resurrection after the former federal prosecutor was humiliated — and possibly headed for a long prison term — while facing trial in federal court for allegedly helping win acquittal for criminal defendants in exchange for large contributions from the defendants' lawyers or acquaintances.
Federal prosecutors labeled those contributions to Marlinga's unsuccessful 2002 congressional campaign as bribes. But a jury disagreed and acquitted him of the charges in 2005.
Since then, Marlinga has gradually established a solid law practice in Mount Clemens that has handled several high-profile civil and criminal cases. But his political popularity has always remained in doubt.
Perhaps most surprising among the poll results is that Marlinga's favorability ratings, while at par with Gieleghem, are equal to the popularity he enjoyed while serving as prosecutor. In addition, his name identification is far above all the other contenders.
Marlinga said the survey grants him the opportunity to serve in the state Senate and deliberate on key issues like the environment, the economy and education. He said he has no second thoughts about giving up his law practice.
"I'd rather be in public life," he said, "than be a rich attorney."