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.

Earlier this summer the Marquette county Elections Commission approved recall language for all seven Trustees, but only the petitions for Mayer, Winslow and Lohf garnered enough signatures to toss them on the ballot.

The official recall language on the ballot, according to the Marquette Mining Journal:

“For voting on May 5, 2009 to go forward with a costly well water system for Marquette Township.”

Each of the embattled officials had a chance to defend themselves on the ballot, with 200 word mini-why-I-voted-this-way essays.

From Lohf:

“I voted for the Drinking Water Revolving Fund 2 project because I believed, and still believe, that we need to have our own water system independent of the city.

“I knew we were never going to be able to complete the project cheaper, so I voted for the good of all the township, and not just the vocal minority. I did the job I was elected to do.”

Clerk Mayer wrote:

“I have lived in Marquette Township my entire life and my only goal as an elected official is to secure a progressive and stable future for the entire township.

“I study all issues completely before I cast my vote. Progress is good if it is well-planned. I will continue to work toward this goal if I am allowed to finish my elected term in office.”

Which leaves Winslow’s response:

“Marquette Township is a good place to live today and in the future. We have a community that supports our residents, our schools and our businesses. We have a strong sense of community and have worked hard to be a great place to live. I believe in the forward movement of our community and support you the residents.”

So, the keep Marquette’s water faction not only has kept it’s trustees and protected them from a recall, they may actually force out the three pols who voted for township run water systems. Tuesday will uncover what the residents of Marquette Township think.

Bill Myers and Pat Fogg will both face recalls after the Ingham County Clerk certified that John Ghere had collected the necessary signatures to force a vote, the Jackson Citizen Patriot is reporting.

Ghere alleges the two violated the public trust, did not listen to the public and worked with anti-union interests.

The entire board of trustees of Marquette Township is potentially facing a recall on Nov. 3, and in Flushing Mike Gardner, Scott Minaudo, Bill Noecker and Mark Purkey of the Flushing Township Board are facing recall as well. In Howell, activists were able to get recall petition language approved for school board members Jeannine Pratt, Debi Drick and Ed Literski

Recall supporters now have until July 31 to collect 359 signatures of registered voters to put the trustees up for vote in November, the Marquette Mining Journal reports.

Residents are divided over a new water plan approved by a majority of the board. On one side are trustees who supported a plan to create new wells to serve the township’s needs. On the other, opponents who think the township should rely on water drawn from Lake Superior and processed by the City of Marquette.

The new well side won the board vote, but supporters on both sides decided to launch recalls.

The reason? The Marquette Mining Journal reports that recall organizers have been angry with members who failed to support a water plan which would develop new wells in the Upper Peninsula township, instead relying on water provided by the city of Marquette, which is drawn from Lake Superior.

The Lake Superior plan requires the township to invest in a $5.3 million water system upgrade, and voters are being asked to approve the bond funding for such upgrades in August.

But those on both sides of the issue are targeting elected officials for recall to protest the decisions.

A hearing is scheduled next week to approve or reject recall petitions, and one recall petition’s language which was rejected is on the way to circuit court for an appeal. That recall language would target water plan supporters, including the township supervisor, clerk and two trustees. A hearing on the appeal is slated for Sept. 11, and if the petitioners win, the recall election happen in February 2010.

Meanwhile, a second set of petitions is being circulated to target the remaining board members, who happened to oppose the water system, including the treasurer and two trustees Language seeking to recall Johnson, Truscott and Durant has twice been rejected by the Marquette County Election Commission, the Mining Journal reports.