Less than a week before the deadline to file as a candidate for the August Primary, there’s a noticeable lack on interest from the county’s most populated areas.
As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, there are no Republican/Democrat races for Districts 4, 5, 6, 7 and no candidates at all for Districts 1, 2, and 3.
Jamie Kramer, District 1 representative from Elmwood Township has said she doesn’t intend to run again. James J. O’Rourke, District 2 commissioner representing Bingham Township and a portion of Elmwood, has also stated he will not be seeking reelection.
Doug Rexroat represents northern Bingham and Suttons Bay Township. However, the District 3 commissioner has yet to file nomination papers.
Based on recent filings, there are no contested races for Districts 4 through 7. But there are candidates from both the Republican and Democrat parties.
County board Chairman Ty Wessell is seeking the Democratic nomination for the District 4 seat representing Leelanau Township and a portion of Suttons Bay Township. He will likely face Jim White, Republican.
Incumbent District 5 commissioner Kama Ross has filed as a Democrat for the Aug. 6 Primary. Barring any additional declarations, she will face Alan Campbell, who has filed as a Republican candidate. Ross edged Campbell by 38 votes in November 2022.
Gwenne Allgaier has filed as a candidate for District 6, representing Cleveland, Empire and Glen Arbor Townships. Mark Roberts has declared as a Republican candidate for the seat.
Noticeably absent from the list of declared candidates is the longest serving county commissioner in the county: Republican Melinda Lautner. Fellow Republican Steve Yoder filed nomination papers in January for the seat representing Solon and Kasson Township.
Tim Dowd has filed as a Democratic candidate for the seat.
Other declared candidates with no apparent opposition are: Michelle Crocker, county clerk; Steven Paciorka, Probate Court judge; Timothy P. O’Non, drain commissioner; Garth Greenan and James Calhoun, road commission; Jennifer Grant, register of deeds; John A. Gallagher III, county treasurer; Michael Borkovich, sheriff ; and Joseph T. Hubbell, prosecutor.
At the township level:
• Bingham: Todd Stone has filed for reelection as township trustee.
Township Clerk Kathy Morio announced at the township’s April regular meeting that she is not running for reelection.
• Centerville: Clerk Beth Chiles has filed as a candidate for reelection. Paul Winston has thrown his hat in the ring for township trustees. Meanwhile, trustees Daniel Hubbell and Joe Mosher have already said they will not seek reelection.
• Elmwood — Supervisor Jeff Shaw has filed for reelection as supervisor. Connie Preston and Chris Mikowski, clerk and treasurer respectively have also filed nomination documents. Incumbent trustees Terry Lautner and Dave Darga have declared candidacy.
• Empire Township — Current board members have all declared as candidates for the August Primary. They are Supervisor Carl Noonan; Clerk Christine Neiswonger; Treasurer Bob Price; Trustees Micah Deegan and Casey Noonan. Kathy Wiejaczka is a Democratic candidate for trustee.
• Leelanau Township — Barbara Conley has filed as a candidate for supervisor. Linda Szarkowski and current deputy treasurer Jolisa Ugalde have declared as candidates to replace township Treasurer Denise Dunn, who is not seeking reelection.
Sylvia Gans is a candidate for township trustee.
• Leland Township — Clint Mitchell, current board trustee is a candidate for the supervisor’s seat. Clerk Lisa Brookfield will be on the Primary ballot along with Treasurer Shirley Garthe. Trustee Mariann Kirch is seeking reelection and resident Kathy Dawkins is running for trustee.
• Suttons Bay Township — The whole township board has declared as candidates. They are: Supervisor Doug Periard, Clerk Jean Moe; Eric Carlson, Debbie Slocombe, trustees are seeking a spot on the ballot as is Dorothy Petroskey, treasurer.
Clerks from Cleveland, Kasson and The deadline to file as a candidate at the county and township level is 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Inquiries to Cleveland, Glen Arbor, Kasson and Solon Township were not answered as of press time yesterday.
The deadline to file is 4 p.m. Tuesday.
