Delia Bickham, 98, and her daughter, Mabel McCord, vote at the poll in St. Ignace Township Tuesday, August 3. (Photograph courtesy of Kim Hagen) Ann Arbor business executive Rick Snyder beat four other Republican contenders for Governor Tuesday, August 3, and will run against Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero in November. Mr. Bernero beat House Speaker Andy Dillon, his only Democratic opponent. Mr. Snyder, with 339,838 votes, defeated Pete Hoekstra (261,635), Mike Cox (216,747), Mike Bouchard (113,072), and Tom George (15,903) in the primary.

In the Democratic primary, Mr. Bernero, with 231,397 votes, beat Mr. Dillon, who had 152,244.

First Congressional District Republican candidates Jason Allen of Alanson and Dan Benishek of Crystal were separated by only one vote Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results posted by the Michigan Secretary of State, with Benishek leading, 27,901 to 27,900. County canvassers in the 31 counties comprising the congressional district began a recount this week and have until August 17 to report their findings. Following that, the candidates can also request a full recount. The winner will face Democrat Gary McDowell of Rudyard in November.

Other Republican candidates did poorly. Tom Stillings received 5,421 votes, Linda Goldthorpe received 4,997, Don Hooper received 3,975, and Patrick Donlon received 2,495.

Mr. McDowell, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, received 27,986 votes. He is in the State House representing the 107th District, where he is term-limited. Bart Stupak is vacating the seat.

In the race for 37th State Senate District, Howard Walker will face Bob Carr in November. Mr. Walker of Traverse City, and a St. Ignace native, beat Randy Bishop, also of Traverse City, in the Republican primary, 23,129 to 13,131, while Mr. Carr had no Democratic challenger in the primary and collected 8,076 votes.

Richard Timmer of Brimley beat Ryan Nelson of Petoskey in the Democratic race for the State House in the 107th District and will face Republican Frank Foster of Pellston, who beat Mike Patrick of Cedarville in the primary.

Mr. Timmer received 1,534 votes to Mr. Nelsons 1,354, while Mr. Foster beat Mr. Patrick, 6,082 to 3,808.

Local Ballots

In Mackinac County, 2545 of the 9,631 registered voters turned out, 26.43%. The election ran smoothly, except in Clark Township, where the voting results couldn’t be transmitted digitally and had to be transported by the Mackinac County Sheriffs Office to the courthouse in St. Ignace.

Mackinac County’s tax limitation proposal, which apportions 6.2 mills among the county, townships, and intermediate school district, passed, 1,107 to 960.

On Bois Blanc Island, voters approved three millages, including 2 mills for five years for the townships general fund, which passed 28 to 16, an airport renewal millage for 1.88 mils for six years, which passed, 16 to 18, and a township dock millage for 2.82 mills for seven years, which passed, 29 to 16.

Clark Townships road proposition, which will raise one mill for five years for road work, passed, 314 to 136.

In Moran Township, the recreation millage was tied at 107 votes for and 107 votes against. It was to raise 0.25 mills through 2013 to cover the costs of Moran Township youth attending recreation programs in St. Ignace. If canvassers certify the vote as a tie, the millage fails.

Newton Township fire and ambulance proposition was approved, 71 to 48, and its road proposition also passed, 82 to 39. Both proposals will raise 0.8182 mill for four years.

Engadine school district voters passed a school bond proposal, 276 to 212. The measure will provide the district with 0.16 mill for seven years and buy busses, computers, network upgrading, and equipment. The bonds will raise $525,000.

Canvassers began work last week to certify the election tallies and are expected to finish their counts Wednesday, August 11. Certified results will be published when released.