Obama whips Romney in auto industry heavyweight Michigan LANSING, Mich., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- President Obama, who campaigned heavily on his rescue of the auto industry, was rewarded with Michigan's 16 electoral votes Tuesday, CNN projected. The news network said the Democratic incumbent would take Michigan based on his 53 percent to 47 percent lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney with 10 percent of precincts reporting. Pre-election polls had indicted Michigan was leaning toward Obama. The U.S. Senate race in Michigan pitted two-term Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow against Republican challenger Pete Hoekstra, a former congressman. Michigan's 1st and 11th Congressional Districts were considered tossups. In the 1st District, GOP incumbent Dan Benishek again faced Democratic farmer Gary McDowell. In the reshaped 11th District where Rep. Thaddeus McCotter resigned in July amidst a petition signature scandal, Republican Kerry Bentivolio, a Vietnam War veteran, former teacher and Tea Party favorite, was up against Democrat Dr. Syed Taj. The state Legislature was held by the GOP.