UNDATED (WHTC-AM/FM) – There will apparently be some change in the local and statewide political landscape after a heavy midterm election voter turnout along the Lakeshore and across Michigan.
Nearly 65 percent of registered voters came to the polls in Ottawa County, and they apparently were in a positive mood, as two countywide ballot proposals – on tax limitation and OAISD regional enhancement – passed by comfortable margins. Local propositions for police and E-unit services in Park Township and for fire services in Zeeland Township also cleared easily. In Allegan County, a Headlee Override amendment in the City of Fennville was approved.
As for local races, the first Democrat in recent memory to win a seat on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is Doug Zylstra, who avenged a narrow defeat two years ago to Don Disselkoen by beating the Holland Republican incumbent by over 900 votes in District 3. In the recall election at Saugatuck Township, the four Democratic challengers – Clerk William Wester Sr., Treasurer Jon Helmrich, and trustees Abby Bigford and Stacy Aldrich – all defeated Republican incumbents.
Jim Lilly and Mary Whiteford each won a second two-year term to the state House, while Bradley Slagh and Doug Meerman captured vacant seats in the lower chamber. In the state Senate, Roger Victory and Aric Nesbitt will take over spots vacated by term-limited Arlan Meekhof and Tonya Schuitmaker, respectively.
The two Republican Congressmen representing the Lakeshore won reelection, although Zeeland’s Bill Huizenga and St. Joseph’s Fred Upton had to fend off strong challenges from Democrats Rob Davidson and Matt Longjohn, respectively.
Moving to the statewide picture, Democrats swept most of the top seats, with Gretchen Whitmer winning in the gubernatorial race, Debbie Stabenow capturing a fourth six-year term in the US Senate, and Jocelyn Benson being the first Democratic Secretary of State in a couple of decades. The Attorney General battle between Republican Tom Leonard and Democrat Dana Nessel was too close to call during the early morning hours.
The three statewide ballot proposals – on legalizing recreational marijuana, establishing a 13-member committee to draw up state political districts following the 2020 census, and on election measures that include restoring straight-ticket voting and creating no-excuse absentee balloting – all passed.
Unofficial totals are not expected to be available until later this week.
