Primary Election Results

Statewide, the Democratic primary for Governor has been called for Lansing mayor Virg Bernero over State House Speaker Andy Dillon.

On the Republican side, former Gateway CEO Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor has been declared the winner over four other candidates, including downstate Congressman Pete Hoekstra.

They’ll advance to the November general election to try to succeed the term-limited Jennifer Granholm.

With Bart Stupak leaving Congress this coming January, there’s been a lot of interest in the 1st Congressional District race as well.

State Rep Gary McDowell of Rudyard is the only Democrat in the race, so he advances to November automatically.

So far on the Republican side, Dr. Dan Banishek of Crystal Falls appears to be the front-runner, with Traverse City-area State Senator Jason Allen his closest pursuer.

Ishpeming Democrat Mike Prusi has to leave the 38th District State Senate seat next January because of term limits.

Democratic State Rep Mike Lahti of Hancock is all alone on the democratic side for that seat.

Like McDowell, Lahti moves on to November automatically.

Escanaba native and former State Rep Tom Casperson is facing Menominee County resident Jeff Paulin for the GOP slot.

Casperson has a sizable lead.

Turning to the State House, incumbent Democrat Judy Nerat of Wallace is unopposed for the Democratic nomination to the 108th District seat.

Five Republicans are vying for the right to challenge her in November, including the candidate Nerat beat for the State House seat two years ago.

That would be Mike Falcon, who has a large lead over Gaylord Jones, Ed McBroom, Brady Nelson and Iron Mountain Mayor Bruce Rosen.

The 108th House District covers Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties.

The 110th District spans the western U.P., as well as Marquette County’s Powell Township.

Hancock Democrat Mike Lahti could have run for one more term.

But he threw his hat into the ring for the State Senate instead, leaving the race wide open.

Robert Black, Scott Dianda and William Doan are the Democrats who want to succeed him, with Black the leader at this point.

Matt Huuki and Don Keith are trying to secure the Republican nomination, and their race is neck-and-neck.

As for the 109th District, incumbent Democrat Steve Lindberg of Marquette and Munising Republican John Brock are both unopposed.

So they advance right to November automatically.