By Jennifer Champagne
Managing Editor
With six of Alger County’s nine precincts reporting as of 10:31 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, all four countywide millage proposals were receiving majority support, while contested federal and state primary races began to take shape.
The unofficial report showed 2,017 of the county’s 6,774 registered voters had cast ballots, for a turnout of 29.78%. That total included 1,932 Election Day voters and 85 early voters. Because three precincts remained outstanding, countywide totals and the outcome of incomplete races could change.
Governor and U.S. Senate
Jocelyn Benson led the Democratic gubernatorial primary in Alger County with 807 votes, or 87.62%. Christopher Robert Swanson received 114 votes, or 12.38%. Three unresolved write-in votes were also reported.
In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed led with 483 votes, or 52.39%. Haley Stevens received 346 votes, or 37.53%, and Mallory McMorrow received 93 votes, or 10.09%.
John James led Alger County’s Republican gubernatorial primary with 501 votes, or 50.91%. Perry Johnson followed with 330 votes, or 33.54%; Mike Cox received 138 votes, or 14.02%; and Aric Nesbitt received 15 votes, or 1.52%. Two unresolved write-in votes were reported.
Mike Rogers, who was unopposed for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, received 953 votes.
Congressional and legislative races
Callie Barr led the Democratic primary for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District with 581 votes, or 63.71%. Kyle Blomquist received 288 votes, or 31.58%, and Wayne Stiles received 43 votes, or 4.71%. One unresolved write-in vote was reported.
Kelli J. Van Ginhoven, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 38th Senate District, received 815 votes. Three unresolved write-in votes were reported.
Anna Aho Rink, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 109th House District, received 835 votes. One unresolved write-in vote was reported.
On the Republican ballot, Jack Bergman led the primary for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District with 821 votes, or 83.10%. Matthew DenOtter received 121 votes, or 12.25%, and Justin Michal received 46 votes, or 4.66%. One unresolved write-in vote was reported.
Beau Matthew LaFave led David Prestin in the Republican primary for the 38th Senate District. LaFave received 567 votes, or 58.57%, while Prestin received 401 votes, or 41.43%. Two unresolved write-in votes were reported.
Karl Bohnak, who was unopposed for the Republican nomination in the 109th House District, received 986 votes. Two unresolved write-in votes were reported.
County races
No Democratic candidate was listed for either Alger County Road Commission seat. The six-year term drew 117 unresolved write-in votes, while the partial term ending Dec. 31, 2028, drew 112 unresolved write-in votes.
Republican Cori-Ann Cearley, who was unopposed for the six-year road commissioner term, received 906 votes. Four unresolved write-in votes were reported.
Republican Dan Nedeau, who was unopposed for the partial road commissioner term ending Dec. 31, 2028, received 900 votes. Four unresolved write-in votes were reported.
In the Democratic primary for the partial County Commission District 1 term, no candidate was listed and 31 unresolved write-in votes were reported. Both precincts in the district had reported.
Republican Robert J. Hughes, who was unopposed for the partial District 1 term, received 293 votes. Three unresolved write-in votes were reported. Both precincts had reported.
Democrat Andy Sommer, who was unopposed for the partial County Commission District 4 term, received 154 votes. Two unresolved write-in votes were reported. Three of the district’s four precincts had reported.
No Republican candidate was listed in the District 4 contest, although 18 unresolved write-in votes were reported. Three of four precincts had reported.
Township offices
The Onota Township clerk race had no reported Democratic votes. Republican Pamela Ann Simmons also had no reported votes because the township’s precinct had not yet reported.
The Rock River Township treasurer race also showed no Democratic votes with the township precinct outstanding. Republican Jenny LeJeune had received three votes in the incomplete results.
Countywide proposals
The Alger County 911 Emergency Telephone Dispatch System Millage Renewal and Restoration Proposal was leading with 1,471 yes votes, or 76.89%, and 442 no votes, or 23.11%.
The Alger County Senior Services Millage Renewal and Restoration Proposal was leading with 1,385 yes votes, or 72.32%, and 530 no votes, or 27.68%.
The Alger County Michigan State University Extension Millage Renewal and Restoration Proposal was leading with 1,123 yes votes, or 59.04%, and 779 no votes, or 40.96%.
The Alger Transit Authority millage proposal was leading with 1,231 yes votes, or 65.13%, and 659 no votes, or 34.87%.
All four totals reflected six of nine precincts reporting and remained unofficial.
Township and school proposals
Au Train Township voters approved the garbage collection and supporting services proposal, with 293 yes votes, or 72.35%, and 112 no votes, or 27.65%. The township’s precinct had fully reported.
Au Train Township voters also approved the road maintenance and improvement millage, with 252 yes votes, or 62.38%, and 152 no votes, or 37.62%.
Burt Township voters approved the general operating Headlee proposal, with 140 yes votes, or 60.87%, and 90 no votes, or 39.13%.
The Burt Township road maintenance and improvements proposal received 154 yes votes, or 66.38%, and 78 no votes, or 33.62%.
Burt Township’s renewal of ambulance, law enforcement and fire protection millages received 176 yes votes, or 75.21%, and 58 no votes, or 24.79%. The township’s precinct had fully reported.
Munising Township voters approved the proposal to renew and restore the fire equipment millage, with 446 yes votes, or 73.96%, and 157 no votes, or 26.04%. The township’s precinct had fully reported.
The AuTrain-Onota Public Schools operating millage renewal proposal was leading with 111 yes votes, or 53.37%, and 97 no votes, or 46.63%. Only one of the district’s two precincts had reported, so the outcome remained incomplete.
County convention delegates
Most Democratic county convention delegate contests had no listed candidates and were decided through unresolved write-in votes. The totals were 42 in the city of Munising, 11 in Au Train Township, 14 in Burt Township, 12 in Limestone Township and 28 in Munising Township. No unresolved Democratic write-ins were reported in Grand Island Township, Mathias Township, Onota Township or Rock River Township. Mathias, Onota and Rock River precincts had not reported.
On the Republican side, Devin Lawrence received 92 votes for Burt Township county convention delegate, with eight unresolved write-in votes also reported. The remaining Republican delegate contests reported unresolved write-in totals of 25 in the city of Munising, 18 in Au Train Township, one in Grand Island Township, six in Limestone Township, one in Mathias Township and 42 in Munising Township. No unresolved Republican write-ins were reported in Onota or Rock River townships, whose precincts had not reported.
The results remain unofficial. The election summary was generated at 10:31 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, with six of Alger County’s nine precincts reporting. Final totals will not be known until all precincts report and the results are canvassed.