You win some, you lose some. That’s what happens in every election and last night was no exception.
By now you all know, Virg Bernero and Rick “The Nerd” Snyder are the nominees for governor. On the Democrat side, it looks like the old guard labor union establishment was able to demonstrate their still-impressive influence in Democratic primaries. On the Republican side, the outsider businessman persona of Snyder was too much to overcome for long-time politicos like Congressman Hoekstra and Attorney General Mike Cox. MITA has had some in-depth discussions with Snyder and like his nerd reputation, Snyder has taken time to educate himself on infrastructure funding and has read the entire TF2 report.
So, what did we learn from the primary?
It’s difficult to say. There really wasn’t a common denominator to candidates who won or those who lost. Although infrastructure investment was raised as election issues in various parts of the state, it wasn’t a decisive factor in any race.
Over half the Legislature will be brand new in January, so MITA members are encouraged to get to know their candidates personally in the weeks leading up to the general election.
On the Congressional level, there are three open seats (Ehlers, Hoekstra and Stupak). Libertarian-Republican candidate Justin Amash will replace Ehlers in this strong GOP seat. It appears that former State Rep. Huizenga, who has construction industry ties, will be the winner to replace Pete Hoekstra. State Rep. Gary McDowell will face a strong fight from either State Sen. Jason Allen or Dan Benishek, who will be engaged in a recount in a race that is still too close to call 18 hours after polls were closed.
First-term incumbent Congressman Mark Schauer, a member of the crucial Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will facing a stiff challenge from Tim Walberg, who he ousted two years ago.
For more detail, this is the in-depth race-by-race analysis by Gongwer News Service today:
1st: Rep. Coleman Young II defeated newcomer Lisa Nuszkowski by a sizeable margin with former Reps. Lamar Lemmons III and Mary Waters well back.
2nd: Rep. Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park) won comfortably in a large field of candidates.
3rd: Former Rep. Morris Hood III won an extremely close race against Teamsters official Isaac Robinson with Mohamed Okdie well back in third place. Mr. Hood had 45 percent of the vote to Mr. Robinson’s 40 percent.
4th: Former Rep. Virgil K. Smith soundly defeated Rep. George Cushingberry Jr. in this Detroit seat, potentially bringing Mr. Cushingberry’s long career in elected politics to an end.
7th: Senate Republicans had touted former Plymouth Township Trustee Abe Munfakh in this race, but business consultant Patrick Colbeck sprung a surprise and earned the right to face Democratic former Rep. Kathleen Law of Gibraltar in the general election.
Mr. Colbeck, despite Mr. Munfakh’s big spending and the presence of former Rep. Deborah Whyman in the race, got the endorsement from Right to Life of Michigan and might be a rare example of someone from the tea party movement to win.
“He’s come on with a conservative message,” Mr. Richardville said. “It just goes to show you when you’re in a primary like this the message of less taxes, smaller government, leave us alone is loud and clear.”
Still, Mr. Richardville said to win Mr. Colbeck will have to show he can work with those with other political views and appeal to voters beyond the tea party movement. Mr. Richardville said Mr. Colbeck’s business consulting background would play well as Republicans seek to hold the seat now held by Sen. Bruce Patterson (R-Canton Twp.).
“That’s a set of skills that seems to set up real well with where a large number of people are going.”
Mr. Anderson said Democrats are more confident than ever of winning the seat.
“She’s going to be able to win that in the end,” he said. “We’ll help her with resources and she’ll pull it out.”
8th: Former Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood of Taylor won the Democratic primary as expected, but not by as large a margin as expected. He is the odds-on favorite to succeed term-limited Sen. Raymond Basham (D-Taylor).
9th: As expected, former Rep. Steve Bieda of Warren throttled former Rep. Frank Accavitti of Eastpointe in the Democratic primary, taking the race by a 2-to-1 margin. Mr. Bieda will be heavily favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Dennis Olshove (D-Warren).
12th: Rep. Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion) bested five opponents from the Rochester area and will be heavily favored to succeed term-limited Senate Majority leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester). Coming in second was Kim Russell, third was Copper Rizzo, the former Bishop aide whom some thought would pull a surprise and win and well back in fourth was former Rep. John Garfield.
14th: A number of Democrats thought Oakland County Commissioner Dave Coulter of Ferndale would defeat Rep. Vincent Gregory of Southfield, but Mr. Gregory proved them wrong with a victory. He will be favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods).
15th: White Lake Township Supervisor Mike Kowall looks to be headed to the Senate at last after winning the Republican primary in a landslide as expected. Mr. Kowall lost a narrow Republican primary eight years ago to Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Novi), whom he will be favored to succeed.
18th: Rep. Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor scored a huge win – and with a comfortable margin – over Rep. Pam Byrnes of Chelsea in a closely watched Democratic primary. Much of organized labor came in heavily for Ms. Warren because the race saw a clear distinction between the voting records of the two lawmakers. Ms. Warren will be favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor).
21st: Rep. John Proos (R-St. Joseph) as expected throttled Todd Griffee in the Republican primary and will be favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-St. Joseph).
22nd: Former Rep. Joe Hune of Hamburg blew out Howell Councilmember Paul Rogers in the GOP primary as expected and will be heavily favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell).
24th: Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) won the Republican primary in a walk over former Allegan County Commissioner Randy Brink.
25th: Rep. Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) scored a decisive win in this hard-fought Republican primary in which former Rep. Lauren Hager of Port Huron Township surprisingly finished third, behind tea party activist Todd Courser of Lapeer.
Mr. Richardville said Mr. Pavlov worked hard. “You see it in their eyes, they know they have to put sunscreen on,” he said of candidates who know what they have to do.
Mr. Pavlov will be favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac).
26th: As expected, former Rep. Dave Robertson blew away former Rep. Fran Amos of Waterford Township in the Republican primary, but his opponent in the general election is a bit of surprise. Former Rep. Paula Zelenko beat Rep. Jim Slezak of Davison in the Democratic primary.
The two will vie for the right to succeed term-limited Sen. Deborah Cherry (D-Burton)
29th: It will be the battle of the Davids as Democrat David LaGrand of Grand Rapids will face House Minority Floor Leader Dave Hildenbrand of Lowell for the right to succeed Sen. Bill Hardiman (R-Kentwood).
Mr. LaGrand comfortably defeated Rep. Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) in the Democratic primary. Mr. LaGrand said voters responded to his background, which includes owning businesses.
“I think that voters really understand that we need new leadership in Lansing, and I think those messages will be just as strong in the general election,” he said. “I’ve got a track record of actually creating jobs and that’s what Michigan needs right now.”
Mr. Hildenbrand dispatched of Lori Wiersma of Grand Rapids, a candidate whom Sen. Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Twp.) recruited to run against Mr. Hildenbrand.
“If there were mistakes made, one of them was getting an opponent against Dave Hildenbrand,” Mr. Richardville said.
But Mr. Richardville said the primary in the end made Mr. Hildenbrand a better candidate.
“He’s got talent, he’s got brains, he’s a likeable guy,” he said.
The big concern with Mr. Hildenbrand is geography coming from Lowell, and Mr. LaGrand noted his hometown has 70 percent of the district’s population.
Mr. Anderson said Mr. LaGrand outworked Mr. Dean.
“Robert Dean, I believe he did a good job in the House, and he’s a really good guy, but there’s little doubt how hard LaGrand was working,” he said. “The doorknocking, the fundraising, he distinguished himself early on.”
30th: Rep. Arlan Meekhof of West Olive fended off probably the most serious challenge from a newcomer in a Senate Republican primary as he defeated business owner Brett VanderKamp of Holland in a hard-fought race.
Mr. Meekhof took about 50 percent of the vote to 40 percent for Mr. VanderKamp, who poured in another $28,000 of his own money into the race in the final days before the primary. He will be overwhelmingly favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland).
31st: Former Rep. Mike Green of Mayville easily dispatched his Republican opponents and won the right to face Rep. Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) for the chance to succeed term-limited Sen. Jim Barcia (D-Bay City).
33rd: Rep. Brian Calley of Portland decisively beat back a furious onslaught from Bingham Township Trustee Michael Trebesh, who spent more than $350,000 of his own money on the race. Mr. Trebesh came under heavy criticism for his repeated mailings and attacks on Mr. Calley.
“You can’t buy the kind of support that I earned over the course of my time in public service and the way that I ran the campaign. Just dumping a bunch of money into a race isn’t enough to win it,” Mr. Calley said. “Ultimately, he didn’t really have a positive message for Michigan’s future, and I think that was his real downfall. Part of it his attacks became so outrageously unbelievable.”
Said Mr. Richardville of Mr. Calley’s win: “As much crap as that guy threw at Brian, Brian took it all with class.”
Mr. Calley will be heavily favored to succeed Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt).
35th: Rep. Darwin Booher (R-Evart) decisively beat Wexford Sheriff Gary Finstrom and will be heavily favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau).
37th: In another example of an establishment candidate blowing away a tea party activist, former Rep. Howard Walker crushed “Trucker” Randy Bishop. Mr. Walker will be favored to succeed term-limited Sen. Jason Allen (R-Alanson).
INCUMBENTS WIN EASILY: The following incumbents thrashed token opponents to their renomination: Sen. John Pappageorge (R-Troy), Sen. Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) and Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Twp.).
PRIMARY SOLIDIFIES HOUSE RACES; SETS UP HEATED FALL CONTEST
Tuesday’s primary results firmed up who the next lawmaker will be for about 35 House districts, but more importantly the election set the stage for whether Democrats can retain control of the chamber come November.
Meanwhile, all 13 incumbents facing challenges in the primary survived.
Feeling the wind at their backs, the biggest difference Republicans faced in the primary was the crowded fields of candidates. Democrats were able to hold off large primary fields in several races, including the 20th, 65th and 83rd, seats that are key for the party to hold onto to keep control of the House.
But having battle-tested GOP candidates is a good thing, said House Republican Campaign Chair Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Twp.).
“I honestly went into this with the attitude the best candidate for November is the one who wins in August,” he said.
While he didn’t name specific races, Mr. Lund said Republican candidates across the state have been vetted and are working hard.
“It’s congratulations you get to fight for another three months,” he said of the news given to House candidates running in marginal districts Tuesday night.
But Rep. Jon Switalski (D-Warren), chair of the House Democratic campaign effort, said every party goes through a period where lots of candidates file and all that has meant for Republicans is that they’ve had to spend a lot of money before the fall.
Mr. Switalski said Democratic candidates are hard working and are hitting the jobs message with voters.
“We have worked very hard drilling it home to our candidates you have to work from day one,” he said.
And he pointed to Joan Wadsworth, the single Democratic candidate in the 20th, as one example of that.
Both Mr. Lund and Mr. Switalski said both their gubernatorial candidates will be good for lower ticket races like the House come November.
Mr. Switalski said Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s strength rests in the effort he showed on Tuesday, adding, “He’s a good candidate with a good message who’s talking to voters who are hurting.”
Mr. Lund said of Ann Arbor business executive Rick Snyder, “He reached out to a lot of people on a lot of things,” and will not only attract independent voters to the polls, but lots of Republicans as well.
“I can’t see a clearer distinction than having Virgil on the ticket. It’s going to be a great battle for November,” Mr. Lund said.
Below, Gongwer News Service breaks down who won in the open seat primaries, how incumbents fared and who will face off in marginally competitive seats.
OPEN SEATS
2nd: In a field of nine Democrats looking to succeed term-limited Rep. LaMar Lemmons Jr. certified public accountant Lisa Howze was triumphant. Ms. Howze just came off a strong showing in the 2009 Detroit City Council race and was led the House field with 37 percent of the vote (all precincts tallied).
The next closest competitor was parole officer Donnie Whitley with 18 percent.
3rd: Former Detroit City Councilmember Alberta Tinsley-Talabi was the winner of this six-way Democratic primary in the north central city seat.
With all the votes counted, Ms. Tinsley-Talabi held a 10 percent lead over Detroit Public Schools Board member Carol Banks (41 percent to 31 percent).
4th: Youth minister Mary Sheffield and consultant Maureen Stapleton were neck and neck throughout the evening in this primary featuring 10 other candidates, but Ms. Stapleton won 25 to 24 percent (74-vote difference).
5th: The largest House primary appeared to be won by school administrator John Olumba, who netted 34 percent of the vote.
Out of 15 Democrats, Detroit Public Schools Board member Terry Catchings was second with 16 percent.
8th: The race boiled down to a four-candidate field out of 13, but Thomas Stallworth III, son of former Rep. Alma Stallworth, won with 18 percent. Leslie Love, a theater manager and Marygrove College adjunct professor, was closed behind with 17 percent (104 vote difference).
George Cushingberry III, son of the incumbent, also had 17 percent, followed by Stephanie Miley’s 14 percent.
10th: As expected, this nine-person race in the western Detroit district was really between Stacy Pugh, cousin of Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh, and urban planner Harvey Santana.
With all precincts reporting, Mr. Santana was beat Ms. Pugh 35-33 percent.
14th: Paul Clemente, cousin of term-limited Rep. Ed Clemente (D-Lincoln Park), claimed the Democratic primary in this downriver Detroit House seat.
Paul Clemente, who worked for the family’s restaurant, beat out two local officials as well as lesser-known candidates with 34 percent of the vote. Mr. Clemente’s nearest competitor was Allen Park School Board President Frank Liberati, who won 24 percent of the vote with all precincts counted.
15th: With all votes tallied, Dearborn City Councilmember George Darany won the Democratic primary in this Wayne County seat with 44 percent of the vote, with retired school teacher Linda Tafelski placing second with 36 percent.
Mr. Darany will face his colleague, Dearborn City Councilmember Suzanne Sareini, in the general in the right to succeed Rep. Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) in this Democratic-leaning seat.
17th: It was former Wayne County Commissioner Phil Cavanagh over Frank Tomcsik as expected with Mr. Cavanagh netting 73 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting.
Mr. Cavanagh, son of the former Detroit mayor and nephew of Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh, will likely replace House Speaker Andy Dillon in this Democratic-leaning seat covering Redford Township and parts of Dearborn Heights and Livonia.
20th: Attorney Kurt Heise of Plymouth will face Northville School Board Vice President Joan Wadsworth in the general after Mr. Heise beat out Steve Booher Jr. of Plymouth Township in the Republican primary. Mr. Heise, who claimed 66 percent of the vote to Mr. Booher’s 34 percent, was the favored candidate.
This competitive seat spans Plymouth, Northville and Wayne.
26th: Jim Townsend, executive director of the Tourism Economic Development Council, beat the Democratic field in this Oakland County seat while attorney Ken Rosen claimed victory for Republicans.
Mr. Townsend had 44 percent of the votes when all were counted, beating Frank Houston, former head of Common Cause of Michigan, and the husband of the incumbent, Kevin McLogan.
Mr. Rosen, a library board member, won with 59 percent of the vote over William Shaw.
30th: Macomb County Commissioner Ken Lampar won the Democratic primary as expected, claiming 73 percent of the vote there over Sterling Heights resident Grant Hughes.
Mr. Lampar faces Utica resident Jeff Farrington, who runs a staffing company. Mr. Farrington won the Republican primary with 43 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting.
Mr. Farrington bested legal aide David Bocek of Sterling Heights and Iraq War veteran Michael Shallal.
31st: As expected, former Fraser Mayor Marilyn Lane won the Democratic primary in this Macomb County seat. Ms. Lane took 74 percent of the vote to Jim Shamaly’s 26 percent all precincts reporting). The Democratic-leaning seat covers Mount Clemens, Clinton Township and Fraser.
33rd: Business owner Ken Goike of Ray Township was the winner of the Republican primary in this Macomb County seat. With all precincts reporting, Mr. Goike won 24 percent of the vote to Gina Bucci’s 22 percent. Ms. Bucci is the wife of Macomb Township Trustee Dino Bucci.
Other Republicans running were attorneys Giuseppe Biondo and Frank Cusumano of Macomb Township, James Santilli Jr. of Clinton Township, and Clinton Township Trustee Pete Vitale.
35th: Returns were slow out of Oakland County for this House seat, but Rudy Hobbs was the eventual winner of Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman. Mr. Hobbs, former policy advisor to Lt. Governor John Cherry, claimed 53 percent of the Democratic primary vote to Mr. Coleman’s 47 percent.
46th: Bradford Jacobsen of Oxford, vice president of a flower company, claimed victory in this GOP-leaning seat over two lesser-known candidates. Mr. Jacobsen won the northern Oakland County seat with 53 percent of the vote (85 percent of precincts reporting).
49th: Former Flint City Councilmember Jim Ananich, an after school education coordinator, beat three other Democratic candidates in this Genesee County seat. With all precincts reporting, Mr. Ananich had 64 percent of the vote. Iraq War veteran Kyle Cawood was second with 18 percent.
Also running were Larry Hutchinson Jr. and Jerry Runyon.
50th: Burton Mayor Charles Smiley won the Democratic primary here, claiming 34 percent of the vote to Richfield Township Trustee Gerald Masters’ 29 percent. Three other Democrats were running.
Mr. Smiley will replace Rep. Jim Slezak (D-Davison) in this Democratic-leaning seat.
52nd: Ann Arbor attorney Christine Green, a Scio Township Board trustee, had a significant edge in the Democratic primary. With 84 percent of precincts reporting, she had 71 percent of the vote to business owner Robert Wozniak’s 21 percent. A third candidate, Jeffrey Lee, also ran.
Ms. Green faces Washtenaw County Commissioner Mark Ouimet in the general.
53rd: In what was one of the closest House races of the night, Washtenaw County Commissioner Jeff Irwin edged out Ned Staebler with 51 percent of the vote.
“It was a barnburner, very close,” Mr. Irwin said. “It was a tough campaign with both of us (candidates) knocking on at least 20,000 doors. In the end I give credit to my team who worked really hard and, with me, were out there every day meeting people and making quality contacts.”
Mr. Irwin will replace Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) in the House. Mr. Staebler could not be reached.
54th: Results came in the early morning hours, but showed David Rutledge winning the contest. Mr. Rutledge, a Washtenaw Community College trustee and county road commission member led legislative aide Lonnie Scott 38 to 31 percent.
Four other candidates were on the Democratic ballot.
55th: Rick Olson of Saline, an attorney by trade, appeared ready to claim the GOP banner for the fall contest against Mike Smith of Temperance, the AFL-CIO community services liaison for the United Way of Monroe County.
Mr. Olson led Frank Chrzanowski, Andrew Sosnoski and Mary Kay Thayer
The competitive seat covers parts of Monroe and Washtenaw counties.
57th: Republican Nancy Jenkins of Clayton will face Tecumseh Mayor Harvey Schmidt, a Democrat, in the fall after Ms. Jenkins beat Lenawee County Commissioner Jim Van Doren of Tipton. With all precincts reporting, Ms. Jenkins, a former district aide for Sen. Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Twp.), had 54 percent of the vote to Mr. Van Doren’s 46 percent.
Ms. Jenkins credited a strong door effort, knocking about 7,000 doors before the primary, as key to her win.
Heading into the general where Republicans hope to pick up the seat now help by Rep. Dudley Spade (D-Tipton), Ms. Jenkins said she has “the best of both worlds,” with experience on legislative issues at the district and state level.
“I think the experience I’ve had working for the senator taught be a lot,” she said.
Mr. Van Doren did not return a message.
60th: Kalamazoo City Commissioner Sean McCann handily won the Democratic primary, beating teacher Chris Praedel and unemployed electrician Dustin Harback. With all precincts counted, Mr. McCann claimed 77 percent of the vote to replace Rep. Robert Jones in this Democratic seat.
65th: Orbitform founder Mike Shirkey of Clark Lake claimed the Republican primary and will face former Jackson County Treasurer Janet Rochefort of Pleasant Lake.
Mr. Shirkey beat out businessman Joe Rokicsak and perennial candidate Sharon Renier with 71 percent of the vote (all precincts reporting).
Along with their own term, advancing candidates are also competing to fill the remaining part of former Rep. Mike Simpson’s term. Mr. Simpson died in December. This seat covers parts of Eaton, Jackson and Lenawee counties.
71st: Former Charlotte Mayor Deb Shaughnessy led the GOP field in this Eaton County seat with 45 percent of the vote. The rest of the field garnered more than 2,000 votes apiece.
72nd: Ken Yonker, a small business owner who placed second in the 2008 Republican primary, will be the next lawmaker for this GOP-friendly Kent County seat. He won with 48 percent of the vote. Next closest was Libertarian-leaning Eric Larson, an anesthesiologist, with 45 percent.
The third candidate was Frederick Fleischmann of Caledonia.
73rd: The frontrunner in this Kent County race shifted over the course of the night, but Canon Township Supervisor Peter Macgregor bested the field of nine. Mr. MacGregor claimed 27 percent of the vote in this GOP-leaning northern Kent County seat.
Second in line was Democrat-turned-Republican Bruce Hawley at 15 percent.
75th: With nearly all the precincts counted, it appeared flower shop owner Bing Goei won the Republican primary over attorney Jordan Bush. With 57 percent of the vote, Mr. Goei faces Kent County Commissioner Brandon Dillon in this competitive fall race to succeed Rep. Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids).
77th: The winner of the GOP primary in this southwestern Kent County seat was Thomas Hooker, a teacher from Byron Center, who was endorsed by the incumbent.
Mr. Hooker’s 28 percent was just above engineer Nate Vriesman’s 27 percent (133 votes separated the candidates). The field included three other candidates.
79th: Al Pscholka of Stevensville, district representative for U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, creamed the GOP competition in this northern Berrien County seat claiming 65 percent of the vote to Paul Peterson’s 20 percent with 88 percent of precincts reporting.
A former township supervisor, Mr. Pscholka said hard work and hitting thousands of doors paid off in the end.
“The fact I had served before as an elected official and really had a record of doing some government reform and not raising taxes (helped),” he said.
But organization was also key, he said, something Mr. Peterson said was the weak point for him.
Mr. Peterson, who ran under the “Team Grassroots” banner with two other candidates, said the tea party movement “clearly dropped the ball.”
“The whole idea was to make it simple,” Mr. Peterson said, but enough tea party supporters worked with Upton candidates. “For some reason they’re priding themselves on having no leadership.”
Mr. Peterson also said unfair campaigning was at fault, noting an entire bank of his signs were stolen on Tuesday.
80th: Former congressional staffer Aric Nesbitt claimed this Van Buren County-based seat with a commanding win over five Republican competitors.
With all precincts reporting, Mr. Nesbitt had 50 percent of the vote. The next closest was 17 percent for Shelly Ann Hartmann of Grand Junction, a blueberry farmer and motivational speaker. Four other Republicans were on the ballot.
81st: As expected, Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac) will return to the House after besting Peter Frangedakis of Capac for this St. Clair County seat with 72 percent of the vote.
83rd: It was a three-man race in this Sanilac County seat for much of the evening, but eventually realtor Paul Muxlow prevailed.
Mr. Muxlow, who survived a bruising primary six years ago, beat the GOP field with 32 percent of the vote. Car dealer Eric Tubbs was second with 28 percent, followed by former school superintendent Alan Broughton with 17 percent. Four other candidates were on the ballot.
Mr. Muxlow faces the Democratic candidate, Port Huron City Councilmember Alan Lewandowski.
85th: Ben Glardon of Owosso, a realtor and auctioneer, won the GOP primary over four other candidates from the business community with 40 percent. Second place went to Dennis Rainwater of Durand who netted 19 percent (95 percent of precincts reporting).
Mr. Glardon faces Democrat Pamela Drake in this Shiawassee County seat.
86th: Lisa Posthumus Lyons, daughter of former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus, claimed 49 percent of the vote over her Republican opponents looking to replace House Minority Floor Leader Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell) in this Kent County seat.
Ms. Posthumus Lyons is on leave as director of public policy and community outreach for the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors. Her nearest competitor, Rob VerHeulen of Walker, who serves as general counsel for the Meijer Foundation, had 35 percent of the vote with 90 percent of precincts reporting.
87th: Barry County Commissioner Mike Callton of Nashville bested two other Republicans in the primary for this seat covering Barry County and part of Ionia County with 47 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting.
Mr. Callton, a chiropractor, had led the field in a poll and in spending over fellow Barry County Commissioner Michael Bremer and Portland City Councilman Steve Fabiano, who each got 27 percent of the vote.
89th: With 98 percent of precincts counted, Park Township Supervisor Amanda Price of Holland appeared triumphant over this large Republican field in Ottawa County.
Ms. Price, who was a legislative aide to Sen. Patricia Birkholz, had 37 percent of the vote. Next closest in this eight-candidate race was Spring Lake Township Supervisor John Nash with 17 percent.
91st: The match-up to replace Rep. Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores) looks to be Republican National Committeewoman Holly Hughes versus Fruitport Board of Education member Ben Gillette.
92nd: Marcia Hovey-Wright of Muskegon, who owns a psychotherapist practice, was the victor in this nine-candidate race to succeed Rep. Doug Bennett (D-Muskegon). Ms. Hovey-Wright claimed 28 percent of the vote, while Muskegon County Commissioner Charles Nash placed second with 22 percent. Muskegon Mayor Steve Warmington was third with 18 percent.
95th: Stacy Erwin Oakes, an assistant attorney general, will finish out the term of Rep. Andy Coulouris as well as her own two years after winning the Democratic primary in this leaning seat. She won with 36 percent of the vote. Runner up was former Saginaw Mayor Joyce Seals with 25 percent. Three other candidates were on the ballot.
96th: With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Bay City Mayor Charles Brunner was the winner with 62 percent of the vote over Bay County Commissioner Brian Elder.
97th: Granary manager Joel Johnson of Clare and Lake Township Supervisor Mark Lightfoot will face off after winning their respective primaries.
Mr. Johnson claimed 46 percent of the vote over a field of five Republicans, while Mr. Lightfoot had 44 percent over a three-candidate Democratic field. The seat covers Clare, Gladwin, Arenac counties and part of Bay County.
99th: Attorney Kevin Cotter staged an upset in this Mount Pleasant-based seat, claiming 61 percent of the Republican primary vote over Christine Alwood, director of stewardship and donor relations for Central Michigan University.
100th: Jon Bumstead of Newaygo, who owns a home construction company, is the likely successor to Rep. Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) after winning the GOP primary with 32 percent. Runner up was Fremont City Councilmember Jane Drake with 28 percent. This seat spans Lake, Oceana and Newaygo counties.
102nd: Former concrete business executive turned substitute teacher Phil Potvin was the winner in the Republican primary in the district spanning Wexford, Osceola and Mecosta counties. He had 28 percent of the vote to Osceola County Commissioner Morris Langworthy Jr.’s 25 percent.
Mecosta County Commissioner Linda Howard of Remus was a closed third with 24 percent. Two other candidates were on the ballot.
103rd: The fall match-up will be between Van Sheltrown, brother of term-limited Rep. Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch), and business owner Bruce Rendon, a Republican.
Van Sheltrown, a corrections officer, won the Democratic primary over Frank Izworski and Randy Surline with 58 percent of the vote with all reporting.
Van Sheltrown faces Mr. Rendon of Lake City, after Mr. Rendon won the GOP primary with 32 percent of the vote (same number of precincts reporting). Mr. Rendon, who ran in 2004, defeated a field of six other GOP candidates. The seat covers Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw and Iosco counties.
105th: One of the nastiest House primary battles ended with former television meteorologist Greg MacMaster besting the field. With 30 percent of the vote, Mr. MacMaster beat out farmer Triston Cole’s 27 percent in this seat covering Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Antrim and Otsego counties.
Four other candidates were on the ballot.
106th: Casey Viegelahn of Rogers City, a military veteran who lost the Democratic primary in 2008, pulled a bit of a surprise against Presque Isle Township Supervisor Patrick Pokorski.
Mr. Viegelahn won with 62 percent of the vote to Mr. Pokorski’s 38 percent with all of precincts reporting.
Mr. Viegelahn faces Peter Pettalia, a former Presque Isle Township supervisor and businessman, in the general in the seat covering Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda and Alcona counties.
107th: Frank Foster of Pellston, business manager for his family’s construction company, beat out Mackinac County Commissioner Mike Patrick of Cedarville in the Republican primary.
Mr. Foster won 61 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting. He’ll face Richard Timmer of Brimley, an instructor at Bay Mills Community College who won the Democratic primary with 53 percent of the vote over Ryan Nelson. The seat covers Chippewa, Mackinac and Emmet counties and part of Cheboygan County.
110th: Scott Dianda of Calumet, former president Michigan State Employees Association AFSCME Local 5, claimed this western Upper Peninsula primary on the Democratic side.
Mr. Dianda won 47 percent of the vote over Iron County Commissioner Robert Black and park supervisor William Doan with all precincts reporting.
MARGINALLY-COMPETITIVE SEATS BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES
1st: Rep. Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe) easily bested his two Democratic primary opponents and will face recycling company CEO Janice DuMouchelle of Grosse Pointe Farms in the fall.
Ms. DuMouchelle beat Grosse Pointe Farms City Councilmember Charles Davis III with 59 percent of the vote (74 percent of precincts reporting).
21st: It was a close race all night, but Lori Levi claimed victory in the Republican primary over former 11th Congressional District Republican Chairman Shannon Price.
Ms. Levi took 52 percent of the vote to Mr. Price’s 48 percent.
Ms. Levi, who runs her family’s gravel business, takes on freshman Rep. Dian Slavens (D-Canton Twp.) in what is expected to be a tight fall race.
23rd: Pat Somerville of New Boston is the fall opponent against first-term Rep. Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown Twp.) after Mr. Somerville, who is self-employed in sales, claimed 46 percent of the vote against Matthew McCormick and Daniel McIntyre.
24th: Harrison Township Supervisor Anthony Forlini will take on first-term Rep. Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores) after winning the Republican primary.
Mr. Forlini won 61 percent of the vote over Harrison Township Clerk Jan Jorgensen with all precincts reporting.
32nd: Andrea LaFontaine of Richmond edged out David Novak of Chesterfield Township, 31 percent to 30 percent, meaning she advances to the general against freshman Rep. Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond), who flipped this GOP seat in 2008 with 49 percent of the vote.
39th: Lois Shulman of West Bloomfield, wife of former Rep. Marc Shulman who lost a bitter primary in 2004, will take on Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield).
Ms. Shulman claimed the GOP primary over two other candidates with 54 percent of the vote.
51st: United Auto Workers Local 651 President Art Reyes will face Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc) in the general should Mr. Scott lose the GOP secretary of state nomination.
Mr. Reyes beat out former legislative staffer Linda Kingston with 61 percent of the vote.
56th: Monroe County Commissioner Dale Zorn of Ida will take on Rep. Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) in the general. Mr. Zorn beat Bob Wentz of Monroe with 76 percent of the vote.
64th: It was Jackson County Commissioner Earl Poleski over dental director Jane Grover in this race. Mr. Poleski claimed 57 percent of the vote in the GOP primary. He faces Rep. Martin Griffin (D-Jackson) in the general.
70th: Rick Outman, who lost the 2008 GOP primary, won it Tuesday night and will take on freshman Rep. Michael Huckleberry (D-Greenville). Mr. Outman claimed 39 percent of the vote over five other candidates.
101st: A 2008 re-match between Rep. Daniel Scripps (D-Northport) and Republican business owner Ray Franz was set after Mr. Franz took the GOP primary with 73 percent of the vote. The district covers Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee and Mason counties.
108th: Ed McBroom of Vulcan bested the Republican field here to take on Rep. Judy Nerat (D-Wallace). Mr. McBroom won 40 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting, runner up was Mike Falcon of Gladstone, who lost to Ms. Nerat in 2008.
INCUMBENTS FACING CHALLENGES WITHIN THEIR OWN PARTY
6th: Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) was on his way to winning re-election over five Democratic challengers. He had 44 percent of the vote, while the next closest was Cynthia Johnson with 17 percent.
7th: Rep. Jimmy Womack (D-Detroit) saw some challenge from political consultant Al Williams, but as he did in the 2008 primary, Mr. Womack was triumphant over Mr. Williams, claiming 51 percent of the vote.
9th: Second-term Rep. Shanelle Jackson easily won the Democratic primary here with 55 percent of the vote. Her main competitor, Reggie Reg Davis, who is a member of the city’s charter revision commission, claimed 24 percent.
11th: With 71 percent of the vote, freshman Rep. David Nathan (D-Detroit) was on his way toward re-election, defeating three primary challengers.
12th: Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) easily defeated her one primary opponent with 85 percent of the vote. She ran against businessman Jim Czachorowski.
16th: Second-term Rep. Bob Constan (D-Dearborn Heights) handily won another term in this Democratic-leaning seat, beating Michael Greene of Inkster in the primary.
28th: Freshman Rep. Lesia Liss (D-Warren) easily bested insurance agent Syed Rob in the Democratic primary, winning 84 percent of the vote with all the precincts reporting.
34th: Freshman Rep. Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint) beat Lacy Wilhelm.
36th: Mr. Lund easily handled his two Republican challengers, claiming 80 percent of the vote.
43rd: Rep. Gail Haines (R-Waterford Twp.) won the primary here with 76 percent.
44th: Freshman Rep. Eileen Kowall (R-White Lake Twp.) survived a challenge from retired Chrysler engineer Rick Gutowski of Clarkston, winning with 63 percent.
104th: Freshman Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) bested tea party activist Glen Lile easily with 65 percent of the vote.
