Michigan’s 19th District state Senate race received some extra attention on election night from national Republicans, who hope a big win by GOP state Rep. Mike Nofs, is a harbinger for the area’s 2010 House race. Nofs defeated Democratic state Rep. Marty Griffin, by double digits to win the open seat previously held by Democratic Rep. Mark Schauer.

Republicans say their win in the Democratic-leaning state district, which encompasses the key counties of Calhoun and Jackson, shows that Schauer is in trouble in his first re-election bid.

Schauer won the two counties in both his successful state Senate re-election in 2006 and his upset of Republican Tim Walberg, in 2008.