County voters will determine the fate of several candidates in contested races next week.
At the county board level:
• Former county administrator Deb Allen is seeking the Republican nomination for the District 1 commissioner seat. Also seeking the GOP nomination is Tim McCalley. The winner of the primary will face former commissioner Rick Robbins, who is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination.
• Former county commissioner Mark Walter is seeking the Republican nomination for the District 2 commissioners seat. He faces Forrest (Bud) Welch in the primary. The winner will face Democrat Scott Perry in the November election.
• The county’s longest serving commissioner, Melinda Lautner, is seeking the Republican nomination to the District 7 county commission seat. Steve Yoder, a Solon Township trustee, is challenging Lautner for the GOP nod, as well as Amedee A. DeCruyt. The winner will face Democrat Tim Dowd, who was unopposed in the primary.
• County Register of Deeds Jennifer Grant will face Renee Wyler for the Republican nomination.
At the township level:
• Jolisa Ugalde is facing Linda Szarkowski for the Democratic nomination for Leelanau Township treasurer.
• Incumbent Supervisor Greg Julian of Kasson Township is being challenged for the Republican nomination by Ryan “Buzzy” Noonan.
• In Solon Township Supervisor Jim Lautner is facing former Cedar Area Fire and Rescue Chief Chris Comeaux.
The winners of these races will be unopposed in November.
