With approximately 25 percent of registered voters casting ballots in the Calhoun County primary Aug. 4, voters overwhelmingly approved the renewal of the county’s Senior Millage and also approved the new Parks Millage proposal on a night where all proposals in the county were approved.



The Senior Millage renewal received 82 percent of the vote as 19,045 people voted “yes” while 4,243 people voted “no.”



Calhoun County Services released the following statement following the vote: “Thank you Calhoun County for voting to renew the Senior Millage. We look forward to another 10 years of promoting health, safety and independence for our county’s older adults.”



The Parks Millage vote was slightly closer as voters cast 14,154 “yes” votes (61 percent) versus 9,034 “no” votes.



Proposals were also approved in neighboring townships:  Burlington (Road Millage); Clarendon (Fire Protection and Library); Emmett (Public Safety); Homer (Library Millage renewal and increases); Marengo (Operating Millage); and Tekonsha (Road and Sidewalk).



Among key races for office that were contested in the county, Incumbent Calhoun County 6th District Commissioner Tommy Miller defeated Vic Potter in the Republican primary by a margin of 1,700 to 1,179.



“I wanted to thank everyone for your support,” wrote Miller in a social media post. “I will give you everything I have in representing the 6th District.

Miller will face Democratic challenger Curt Osborn in November.



In Bedford Charter Township, republican William Scutt defeated former supervisor Adam Heikkela to go on to the general election Nov. 3 when Scutt will face incumbent supervisor, Rande Johnson.



Unopposed democratic incumbent Bedford Charter Township Clerk Joyce Feraco garnered 826 votes.



For treasurer, republican Erica Miller was chosen to face incumbent democrat Chrisandra Dezotell in the general election Nov. 3.



In Pennfield Charter Township, republican Kevin Leiter was chosen out of a field of three to face Robert P. Behnke, Jr., former supervisor, in the general election to fill the supervisor post currently held by Dave Morgan who is running for 62nd district state representative.

Republican Clerk Kathy Case was unopposed in the primary as was republican treasurer, Deborah Jackson. 

In Newton Township, republican Troy Radcliff was unopposed in the primary race for supervisor as was republican Mary Aldrich for clerk and democrat Mary Irving for treasurer.

In Leroy Township, Roger King was the sole democrat seeking to become supervisor, while no democrats ran for clerk nor treasurer while republican incumbent Laveta Hardish was also unopposed.

Hardish will face a challenge from King in the Nov. 3 general election.

Nicole M. Hardish was also unopposed in the republican primary for Leroy Township clerk along with republican candidate for treasurer, Mark A. Christoff.

In Emmett Charter Township, Deb Belles prevailed in a field of four seeking to fill an open supervisor position being left vacant by Tim Hill who chose not to seek re-election.

She will likely win the post in November if she prevails over any write-in candidates since no democrats filed to vie for the job.

No Emmett Township democrats filed for clerk or treasurer but in the republican primary for those posts, clerk Tracy Myers-Malone was unopposed and received 1,464 votes and incumbent Dr. Rachelle Myers edged out challenger Kristas Sue Fritsche, 926 to 706 to clinch the nomination for re-election.

In the Democratic primary for the State House District 63, Ron Hawkins narrowly defeated Luke Howell 1,388 to 1,335. Hawkins will now face Republican Incumbent Matt Hall in November.

In the Republican primary for the State House District 62, Pennfield Township Supervisor Dave Morgan received 5,013 votes to win the primary over Michelle Gregoire, 1,365 votes and Chad Basse, 543 votes. Morgan will face Democratic incumbent Jim Haadsma in November.

In the Republican primary for Calhoun County Water Resources Commissioner, Ron Smith, with 6,750 votes defeated Johnny Cash, who received 5,542 votes. Smith will face Democrat Wayne Kukuk in November.

In the race for the U.S. House of Representatives 3rd District, Peter Meijer won a crowded Republican primary field, receiving a plurality of the vote (46%), garnering 6,119 votes. Lynn Afendoulis was second with 2,865 votes followed by Thomas J. Norton, 2,643 votes; Emily Rafi, 969 votes; and Joe Farrington, 652 votes.

“I am so proud to be your Republican nominee for Congress,” said Meijer. “Thank you, West Michigan for having faith in our campaign. Thank you for helping us spread our message in every corner of this district. We will not let you down and together we will bring it home in November.

Meijer will face Democrat Hillary Scholten in the Nov. 3 election.



Complete primary results can be found at https://elections.calhouncountymi.gov/August4th2020/.