State election round up

Here is a quick snap shot of races Michigan Messenger has reported on over the last eight months, and their outcomes:

In the special election for the Michigan Senate 19th, which was formerly held by Congressman Mark Schauer, Republican Mike Nofs bested Democrat Marty Griffin, 19,508 votes to 11,105 votes reports the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Nofs, a former state representative and Michigan State Trooper spent $363,098 to Griffin’s $22,655, according to the Battle Creek Enquirer. Nofs win strengthens the GOP’s control over the Senate.

In the Lansing mayoral race between Incumbent Mayor Virgil Bernero and City Councilwoman Carol Wood, Bernero won that race 62 percent to 37 percent, reports the Lansing State Journal. Riding on Bernero’s coattails, newcomer Tina Houghton beat out 16-year council veteran Sandy Allen in the city’s second ward. And newcomer Tina Yorko was elected in the city’s fourth ward. In the at-large race, incumbents Brian Jeffries and Kathie Dunbar won re-election.

In Jackson, voters ousted incumbent Mayor Ken Ludwig in favor of community activist and Realtor Karen Dunigan, reports the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

In Leslie, in southern Ingham county, voters recalled two school board members, reports the Jackson Citizen Patriot. Board members Bill Myers and Patt Fogg, the paper reports were recalled. Fogg was recalled on a vote of 651 to 496 votes, while Myers was recalled on a vote of 679 to 476 votes.

In the Upper Peninsula, Marquette Township voters recalled all three trustees who face action for their votes on a township water system. The Marquette Mining Journal reports Karen Lohf lost 520 to 199 votes; Clerk Patricia Mayer lost 478 to 230 votes; and Linda Winslow lost 476 to 230.

Over in Flushing Township by Flint, voters reject four recalls against board members there. The Flint Journal reports “about” 60 percent of voters cast their ballots to retain Mike Gardner, Scott Minaudo, Bill Noecker and Mark Purkey in their posts as board members.