County voters to decide on ballot issues; candidates in Nov. 3 election
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The votes from midterm general election will finally be tabulated Tuesday night to decide races from the highest office in the state all the way to the local level. Plus, there are quite a few countywide proposals on the ballot.
Starting at the top, there will be a new governor in Michigan in 2027 with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ready to finish up her final term in office.
The following candidates are running for governor and lieutenant governor: Jocelyn Benson and Winnie Brinks, Democratic; John James and Jay DeBoyer, Republican; Anthony Hudson and Beau Parmenter, Libertarian; Donna Brandenburg and Robert Donald Cowper II, U.S. Taxpayers; and Douglas Campbell and Bobbie Clay, Green Party.
In the key U.S. Senate race, representing the two major parties are incumbent Republican Mike Rogers and Democratic Abdul El-Sayed. This is a highly publicized race as the Democrats need a net gain of at least four seats in the midterm to wrestle control of the U.S. Senate from Republicans.
Incumbent Republican Jack Bergman faces a challenge from Democrat Callie Barr to represent the 1st Congressional District in Congress.
For state Senate in the 36th District, it’s incumbent Republican Michele Hoitenga and Democratic Mark W. Yonkman.
For the 106th District, Republican Cam Cavitt is looking for his third term going against recluse candidate, Mary Lucille Hamilton, who has been described as a MAGA (Make America Great Again) Democrat.
In the city of Rogers City, incumbents Timeen Adair and Ken Bielas are on the ballot for Rogers City City Council. Former councilman Gary Nowak, who served for decades, is trying to unseat one of them. Mayor Scott McLennan is running unopposed.
The city of Onaway has Michael Freel and Arthur Nash running for two seats and incumbent Michael Benson running unopposed for mayor.
Along with the various races for the state board of education and trustee at the major universities, there is justice of the supreme court with the following candidates: current justice Megan Kathleen Cavanagh, current justice Noah P. Hood, along with Thomas W. Howe, Casandra Morse-Bills, Michael Warren and Jody White. Voters need to choose two.
Back on the local level, 89th District Judge Michael J. Ekdahl is looking to continue his position on the bench and is running unopposed.
The local proposals are as follows: Presque Isle County separate tax limitations, recycling program services, 911 operating surcharge renewal, special education renewal requested by the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District and the new request being made for Presque Isle Historical Preservation that will support the Onaway Area Historical Museum, Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum and the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.
Michigan voters will decide two statewide ballot proposals this November – one asking whether to call a convention to rewrite the state Constitution and another that would significantly change Michigan’s campaign finance laws.
School board candidates are previewed in a separate story this week.
Polls will be open for traditional voting Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
