Alger County Sheriff Todd Brock cruised to reelection Tuesday, securing nearly 82% of the ballots cast in his race against David LaMere.
According to unofficial totals released by the county at 12:11 a.m. Wednesday, Brock, a Republican, received 3,899 votes compared with 865 for LaMere, who was not affiliated with a party in this election.
“I am very thankful and appreciative to all my supporters throughout the years and in this year’s election,” Brock said. “I would like to congratulate Dave LaMere for a very well-run campaign. We are looking forward to getting to work for all the great residents of Alger County. This community truly humbles me and makes me proud to represent them as their sheriff.”
In the only other contested race on the countywide ballot, for county road commissioner, Republican Scott LaCombe de- feated Kris Uehlein (no party affiliation), 3,534 to 940.
Running unopposed and securing reelection were Robert T. Steinhoff, county prosecuting attorney; Joel VandeVelde, county clerk and register of deeds; and Pam Johnson, county treasurer.
VandeVelde, the official responsible for administering elections in the county, said, “I would like to thank Alger County election workers for all their hard work.”
Across the county, four townships featured contested races.
In Burt Township, Jon L. Babbitt (225 votes) was elected township supervisor over Calvin McShane (98) and Perry Bennett (31). In the race for township clerk, Lori McShane (265) defeated Jeremy M. Taylor (84). Sara Secrest (292) was elected township treasurer over Lea Ward-Harbaum (44).
Also in Burt Township, five candidates ran for two trustee positions. Paul Williams (187 votes) and Timothy Jenkins (185) led the way, followed by Sheri L. Shafer (134), Louis Lundquist (126) and Robert P. Harbaum (35).
In Mathias Township, Amy Richmond (174 votes) defeated John F. deVeaux Sr. (58) in the contest for township supervisor.
In Onota Township, three candidates ran for two trustee slots. Jennifer Hough (185 votes) led the way, followed by Brian Bresette (171) and Pamela A. Simmons (142).
In Rock River Township, Ray Lane received 365 votes for township supervisor, while Justin Fairbanks received 304.
In the race for township clerk in Rock River, Heather Marsh (393 votes) defeated incumbent Thomas Schierkolk (235).
Rock River made national headlines a week before the election when Jonathan Brater, director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, sidelined Schierkolk and his deputy, David LaMere, the losing candidate in the race for Alger County sheriff.
Schierkolk had informed Brater that he intended to conduct a hand count of the township’s ballots before sending them to Munising for the county’s canvassing process.
Brater said this would violate state law and jeopardize the ballots’ chain of custody. Township officials said the election ran smoothly after the state replaced Schierkolk and LaMere.
The Nov. 15 issue of The Beacon will include a deeper look at elections across Alger County.
