David Bonior decides that he can beat John Engler in a race for the Michigan Governor's mansion in 1998. He runs a tight race, but Engler wins 53% to 47%. Then, in 2000, Engler is tapped to be George Bush's running mate and they win. Engler resigns the Governor's seat and Lieutenant Governor Dick Posthumus serves the rest of his term. In 2002 Posthumus runs for a term in his own right, and Bonior runs again for the Democrats. This time he wins.
In 2007 Bonior declares that he will seek the Democratic nomination. He runs to the left of Clinton on economic issues ("I was never for NAFTA before I was against. I was just never for NAFTA."), but stays to her right on social issues like abortion. He wins the nomination. He faces off against Vice-President Engler (a sacrifical lamb for the Republicans) and this time manages to turn the tables on him, winning 53% to 47% nationally and taking their home state of Michigan.