Beacon Editor

Results from the Nov. 5 general election in Alger County are now official, and they indicate a slight rise in turnout and a modest increase in Donald Trump’s local advantage over 2020 figures.

Turnout across the county was 68.88%, with 5,320 people casting ballots from a pool of 7,724 registered voters. In 2020, turnout was 67.82%. According to Pew Research, the national average for presidential election years is around 66%.

In the presidential race, Trump received 59.26% of votes cast in Alger County, while Kamala Harris received 39.46%. In 2020, Trump’s advantage over Joe Biden was 58.40% to 39.78%.

Election data are available at algercounty.gov by clicking on the Government tab and then selecting Elections. The Election Summary Report is 16 pages long and includes cumulative vote totals across the county. The Official Statement of Votes Cast is 120 pages long and features the vote breakdown by precinct.

Here are the highlights: On the partisan portion of the ballot, which included the option for straight party voting, 61.20% selected straight Republican, while 36.98% chose Democratic.

In the U.S. Senate race to fill the seat of Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat who is retiring after four terms, Republican Mike Rogers received 58.20% of votes cast in Alger County. Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who won the seat, received 39.69% of votes in the county.

In the contest for Representative in Congress from Michigan’s 1st District, incumbent Republican Jack Bergman received 58.15% of Alger County’s votes compared with Democrat Callie Barr’s 39.42%. Bergman won reelection with a similar margin across the district.

In the Michigan Legislature, Republican Karl Bohnak knocked off incumbent Democrat Jenn Hill in the race for the 109th District House seat. Bohnak won Alger County by a margin of 60.52% to 39.48%. Across the entire district, his advantage was 51.3% to 48.7%.

Countywide races

The Nov. 5 ballot featured two contested countywide races, for Alger County sheriff and road commissioner.

In the contest for sheriff, incumbent Todd Brock, a Republican, defeated David LaMere, who was not affiliated with a party, by a margin of 81.84% to 18.16%.

Republican Scott LaCombe was elected county road commissioner over Kris Uehlein, no party affiliation, 78.99% to 21.01%.

Also on the countywide ballot, several incumbents ran unopposed and earned reelection: Robert T. Steinhoff, county prosecuting attorney; Joel VandeVelde, county clerk and register of deeds; and Pam Johnson, county treasurer.

All five incumbent Alger County commissioners also ran unopposed and were reelected: Enrico T. Capogrossa, 1st District; Dean Seaberg, 2nd District; D. Michael Nettleton, 3rd District; Kelly Livermore, 4th District; and Mickey G. Rondeau, 5th District.

Au Train Township

The ballot for Au Train Township featured several uncontested races: Thomas Balmes for supervisor, Mary Walther Johnson for clerk and Kristy Cota for treasurer.

In addition, two candidates appeared on the ballot for two trustee positions: John Carr (568 votes) and Jacob Miller (491).

Burt Township

Three people ran for the Burt Township supervisor position. Jon L. Babbitt won the seat with 63.56% of the votes. He was followed by Calvin McShane (27.68%) and Perry Bennett (8.76%).

The Burt Township clerk role was also contested. Lori McShane (75.93%) defeated Jeremy M. Taylor (24.07%).

Two people ran for treasurer. Sara Secrest (86.90%) won the post over Lea Ward-Harbaum (13.10%).

Five names appeared on the ballot for two Burt Township trustee slots. The seats went to Paul Williams (28.04%) and Timothy Jenkins (27.74%). They were followed by Sheri L. Shafer (20.09%), Louis Lundquist (18.89%) and Robert P. Harbaum (5.25%).

Grand Island Township

All of the positions in Grand Island Township were uncontested. Dena Ramsey was elected supervisor; Tammy Lindeblad, clerk; and DeeJay Paquette, treasurer.

Two people ran for two trustee positions: Scott Lindeblad and Barbara Stark.

Limestone Township

Likewise, the Limestone Township ballot featured nothing but uncontested races. Thomas Curry was elected supervisor; Danita L. Rask, clerk; and Brian Menghini, treasurer.

Two people ran for two trustee seats: Ingrid E. Hoy and William L. Brisson Jr.

Mathias Township

In the race for Mathias Township supervisor, Amy Richmond (75.00%) defeated John F. de-Veaux Sr. (25.00%).

Megan Webber ran unopposed for township clerk, and Marilyn Rukkila was unopposed for treasurer.

Shannon Thompson and Jonathon Thompson were the only candidates for two township trustee positions.

City of Munising

Brice Burge was the only candidate for two available seats on the Munising City Commission. After Burge was sworn in on Nov. 11, the commission initiated a process to fill the vacant seat.

Munising Township

Munising Township also featured uncontested races. Lisa Howard was elected supervisor; Patty Willson, clerk; and Carmon Decet, treasurer.

Selina Balko and Jolene Hetherington were the only candidates for two trustee seats.

Onota Township

No candidates appeared on the ballot for township supervisor, but the race featured two write-in campaigns. Christopher Haydon defeated David Squier, 50 votes to 32.

No candidates were on the ballot for township clerk. Cheryl Lane ran unopposed for township treasurer.

Three people ran for two township trustee positions. Jennifer Hough (185 votes) and Brian Bresette (171) were elected, while Pamela A. Simmons (142) fell short.

Rock River Township

In the race for township supervisor, Ray Lane (365 votes) defeated Justin Fairbanks (304).

Heather Marsh (393 votes) defeated Thomas Schierkolk (235) in the race for township clerk. Carol Fisher ran unopposed for treasurer.

Two candidates ran for two trustee seats: Victor Aho and Jim Rondeau.

Judicial elections

Alger County voters favored Kimberly Ann Thomas (52.42%) over Andrew Fink (47.58%) for an eight-year term on the state Supreme Court.

They also preferred Kyra Harris Bolden (59.57%) over Patrick William O’Grady (40.43%) for a Supreme Court term ending on Jan. 1, 2029.

Several other judges ran unopposed: Stephen L. Borrello, Court of Appeals, 4th District; Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, Court of Appeals, 4th District, partial term; and Charles Cameron Nebel, Probate District Court, 5th District.

Village of Chatham

Three candidates were elected to fill three seats for four-year terms on the village council: Hailey Rittenger, Kit L. Fortney and Kit R. Fortney. In addition, Daniel Rushford was the only candidate for a partial term.

School boards

Katrina Walther and Peter J. Veverka were the only candidates for two seats on the Au Train-Onota Public Schools board.

Helen E. Scaife was the only candidate for a six-year term on the Burt Township School board. Five candidates ran for four available four-year terms on the board. Those elected were Dylan Capogrossa (281 votes), Brianne Aguilar (198), Nick Paul (191) and Taylor Vanbrocklin (183). Kathleen Jenkins (157) came up short.

Three candidates appeared on the ballot for four, four-year terms on the Munising Public Schools board: John Carr, Lara Bender and Hannah Nolta-Maki. The fourth seat was won by writein candidate Cassie Tebear. Megan Hill was the only candidate for a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

Three candidates ran for three seats on the Superior Central School District board: Denise Bartlett, Jennine Mallory and Sally Richard.

Ballot proposal

Rock River Township’s road maintenance and improvements proposal passed by a margin of 72.10% to 27.90%.