Mackinac County voters say they want to see incumbent Democrat Nora Massey face Republican challenger Rob Winkelman for the treasurer post in the November 4 general election. In a second highly contested county race Tuesday, August 5, local voters determined newcomers Republican Tom Doty and Democrat Dick Oliver will compete for a position on the road commission in November. Voters supported incumbent Democrat Dawn Nelson, who was unsuccessfully challenged by Democrat Fred Paquin for her seat on the county commission.

Voting along party lines is a primary election requirement that township and city clerks say kept some voters away from the polls August 5. County wide, about 26% of, or 2,500, registered voters went to local polling sites. The county has 9,481 registered voters.

Area voters did, however, top the statewide turnout percentage average of 19%. Michigan has 7.2 million registered voters.

Incumbent Democrat U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak of the 1st District will face Republican Tom Casperson in November. Mr. Casperson beat out Republicans Linda Goldthorpe and Dan Hooper in the primary for a chance to vie for the two-year seat.

Incumbent Democrat State Representative Gary McDowell from the 107th District will again face off against Republican Alex Strobehn for the two-year seat. Neither candidate faced party opposition in the primary. Mr. McDowell unofficially received 5,137 votes and Mr. Strobehn earned 4,106 votes from ballots cast in Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, and Mackinac counties.

For the 6-year seat in the U.S. Senate incumbent Democrat Carl Levin again will face Republican Jack Hoogendyk, Jr. Neither candidate faced party opposition in the primary. Statewide, Mr. Levin unofficially earned 558,447 votes and Mr. Hoogendyk received 494,300.

At the township level, Republican Gerald Hill snatched the Clark Township supervisor post from incumbent Republican Linda Hudson by an unofficial count of 114 votes.

Mrs. Hudson, who held the post for four years, previously served as a trustee for four years.

Also experienced in serving in township government, Mr. Hill has 20 years of experience as supervisor, treasurer, and trustee. He is selfemployed in bulldozing, contract trucking, and other work.

In Brevort Township, incumbent supervisor Republican Ed Serwach beat challenger Republican Darren Spring by 11 votes. No Democrat ran for the position.

The township has 548 registered voters, with 176 casting ballots in the primary.

In Newton Township, Democrat John McNeil failed to make the November ballot in his challenge of incumbent supervisor Democrat Bob Brotherton. Unofficial results gave Mr. Brotherton 54 votes, compared to 16 votes for Mr. McNeil.

Mr. Brotherton now will face Republican Rick Frisch in November. Mr. Frisch, who earned 42 votes, beat Republican Jim France, who received 4 votes.

A full slate of newcomers ran for two trustee seats in the township, including Marilyn McArthur, Donald McNeil, Rachel McNeil, George Tremblay, Kurt Doepke, Kirk Grinnell, and Nikki Tremblay.

Of those, Democrats Nikki Tremblay and Kirk Grinnell will face Republicans Rachel McNeil and George Tremblay in the general election November 4.

The township has 351 registered voters, and 126 of them participated in the primary.

In Portage Township, incumbent Republican Don Ferris beat challenger Harold Reeves by 35 votes. Mr. Ferris will face Democrat Donna O'Grady in the November election.

Incumbent Democrat treasurer Nancy Kister earned 58 votes, beating challenger Democrat Bradley Kohvakka, who received 35 votes. Mrs. Kister now will face Republican Nancy Seegert in November.

On the November ballot, three candidates will seek two trustee seats. Republicans Patrick Abram and Mark Devereaux earned more votes in the primary than Republicans Shirley Gehrett and Jeffrey Burton. Democrat Mike Soder also will vie for a trustee seat in November.

The township has 765 registered voters, and 229 voted in the August primary.

All township ballot proposals passed in the election.

Bois Blanc Township voters approved a 0.8968 renewal millage for their transfer station, by 27 votes in favor to 17 against. The millage is estimated to generate $23,700 in 2009. The island voters also approved a 2 mill increase for police protection to cover operating and capital expenses through 2011. The proposal passed by 4 votes. The millage is estimated to generate about $52,000 a year.

Hendricks Township voters approved a 3 mill, four-year road millage renewal, which is estimated to raise more than $23,000 a year. The proposal passed by 20 votes.

Moran Township voters renewed for their 0.25 recreational millage by 48 votes. The four-year millage is expected to generate more than $20,000 annually.

Portage Township voters approved a 1 mill road operation millage by 78 votes. The millage will capture more than $72,000 annually in 2009 and 2010. Also approved by 71 votes was a road operation millage for 2 mills, which will raise about $144,000 annually for 2009 and 2010. A 1.5-mill request was approved to support the ambulance corps and 0.5 mills to support the fire department also passed, by 116 votes. Total revenue expected from this two-year millage is approximately $144,000 a year.

Incumbant Democrat U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak will face Republican Tom Casperson in November. Mr. Casperson beat out Republicans Linda Goldthorpe and Dan Hooper in the primary for a chance to vie for the two-year seat.

Incumbant Demorcat State Representative Gary McDowell from the 107th District will again face off against Republican Alex Strobehn for the two-year seat. Neither candidate faced opposition in the primary. Mr. McDowell unoffically received 5,137 votes and Mr. Strobehn earned 4,106 votes from ballots cast in Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, and Mackinac counties.

Primary Election Results in Mackinac County