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This primary election features a slew of races for newly defined districts, courtesy of statewide redistricting in 2021.
Michigan is an open primary state, meaning that voters do not need to declare a party to vote.
Primary races are taking place in Grand Traverse County (5), in Antrim County (5), Kalkaska County (3) and Leelanau County (3), with none in Benzie County since no candidates there face opposition.
Record-Eagle stories focusing on the Grand Traverse area's 2022 elections and related issues:
The county’s population grew by nearly 10 percent over the last 10 years, from about 87,000 to 95,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau, prompting an apportionment commission to increase the number of county commission districts from seven to nine. The increase changed the district map across the entire county, putting commissioners in new districts and giving some candidates the ability to run for office without facing an incumbent.
Political experience: Never held office
Occupation: Director of party operations, Grand Traverse County Democrats
Why running: “It’s time for a changing of the guard.”
Political experience: Ran for District 3 county seat in 2020
Why running: “Many issues in the county are bordering on becoming crises and the board needs people who are willing to work together.”
Political experience: Serving second term on the county board
Occupation: Finance director at Child & Family Services
Why running: To pursue his liberal values while maintaining relationships with fellow board members with the goal of bringing them to his side.
Occupation: Marketing director for Honor Bank
Political experience: Traverse City Commission for three years; Empire Village Council several years ago
Why running: To better represent the people of District 3.
Political experience: Serving his second term on the county board
Occupation: Co-owner of Culver Meadows Senior Living
Why running: To continue being a part of making Grand Traverse County great.
Political experience: Served five years on the Traverse City Commission, eight years on the TCAPS board of education
Occupation: Real estate agent for Coldwell Banker
Why running: The county board has become too political and veered off course.
Political experience: Serving his third term on the county board, nearly four years as chair
Occupation: Co-owner of Roy’s General Store
Why running: “We’ve had a lot of progress at the county that I’m proud to have been a part of,” and that he wants to continue.
Political experience: Served two terms on the county board, two years as chair
Occupation: Tax accountant for Intuit
Why running: “In the past four years, I’ve seen the county board go in a direction I don’t like.”
Political experience: Serving his 14th year on Mayfield Township board, serves on township planning commission.
Occupation: Owner of Jetts Lawn Care
Why running: Redistricting and the lack of an incumbent presented a good opportunity to run.
Political experience: Two years on the Kingsley Village Council, ran for GTC sheriff in the 2020 primary
Occupation: Bus driver for Dean Transportation
Why running: “Now that there’s a new district, I thought it was a good opportunity to represent those communities that have been largely unrepresented in the county commission.”
Two long-term commissioners in the county opted not to run again. They are Republican Debra Rushton from District 2 and Democrat Patricia Soutas-Little from District 5. With an increase in county population of about 600 people over the last 10 years, there were no significant changes in the district map.
James S. O’Rourke: Republican, 71
Political experience: Serves on the Elmwood Township Board, on the board for more than 25 years
Occupation: Retired from the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Department and from Homeland Security at the Cherry Capital Airport.
Why running: “There’s been a lot of friction on the board. I think I can do better. I think I can make a change.”
Political experience: District 2 commissioner from 2002 to 2008
Occupation: Campus security at Interlochen, retired from Michigan Department of Corrections
Why running: “I’m a political conservative. We need to have a conservative, experienced voice on the board.”
Political experience: Never held office
Occupation: Writer, retired owner and publisher of the Leelanau Enterprise
Why running: “I’m a big believer in public service. I’ve watched and offered opinions on local government for a long time. I believe in the efficiency of local government and I’d like to be a part of that.”
Political Experience: Never held office
Occupation: Retired urban planner for City of Sarasota, Fla.
Why running: “I have what I think is a good skill set and I’d like to offer that to Leelanau.”
Political experience: Never held office
Why running: “I think that the county could do a much better job of addressing the things they do have jurisdiction over — affordable housing, clean water and internet.”
Political experience: Never held office
Why running: “It’s time for change right now, especially in Leelanau County. Melinda Lautner has held that office for 26 years and she has become stagnant.”
Political experience: Never held office
Occupation: Retired from writing, marketing, advertising field
Why running: “There are many people in District 7 who are just frustrated by our current commissioner who has been serving for 26 years. It’s my opinion that she’s holding Leelanau back. We need new ideas and new perspectives.”
She did not respond to a request for comment.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Antrim County’s population increased by just under 300 people between 2010 and 2021, but the county’s districts have been shaken up. After this election, the county will go from having nine districts to five. Six of the nine current commissioners are running again in newly sectioned districts are: Jarris Rubingh, Terry VanAlstine, Brenda Ricksgers, Dawn LaVanway, Jason Helwig and Christian Marcus.
Political Experience: Never held office
Occupation: Retired administrator with the Antrim County Probate Court
Why running: “For 26 years I worked for the folks in the county and enjoyed that, and when the current commissioners decided not to run, I thought, well, maybe folks will think I still have something I can give.”
Political Experience: Never held office
Occupation: Excavator with Mel’s Excavating
Why running: Can bring conservative values back to Antrim County and make a better future for forthcoming generations as a combat veteran and political outsider.
Political Experience: Serving first term on the Antrim County Commission, served three terms as a Precinct Delegate in Banks Township.
Why running: “My goal is to make things better and more efficient.”
Political Experience: Served one term as a Central Lake village trustee, served one term as an Antrim County Commissioner
Occupation: Executive Director for Antrim Conservation District
Why running: “I’m worried about the future of our county and I think that we need to have some solid, experienced and educated people in office.”
Political Experience: Serving second term as an Antrim County Commissioner, one as chair, served 11 years on the Bellaire village council.
Occupation: Retired from selling auto parts
Why running: “To make Antrim County a better place to live, work and vacation.”
Lockwood’s name will appear on the ballot, but he attempted to withdraw from the election in June for personal reasons and an interest in helping the county by means other than politics, he said. If he gets more votes than his opponent, he would technically be elected, but said he would step down from the position.
Political Experience: Serving her fourth term on the Antrim County Commission
Occupation: Farmer raising Rocky Mountain horses
Why running: “I like doing what I can in the county, I like knowing what’s going on in the area where I live and helping.”
Political Experience: Serving second term on the Antrim County Commission
Occupation: Works at a machine shop in Antrim County
Why running: “I feel like I have a voice that helps stick up for the area at the county level.”
Political Experience: Serving third term as Antrim County Commissioner
Occupation: Library director of the Jordan Valley District Library
Why running: To continue to represent her community
Marcus is a current Antrim County Commissioner. He did not respond to a request for comment.
Recent redistricting in Kalkaska County left minimal changes; the county’s population increased by about 800 residents in the last decade, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Kalkaska will have the same number of commissioners, with the only change being that a piece of Orange Township flipped from District 3 to District 5, said Kalkaska County Clerk Deborah Hill.
Six of the seven current county commissioners are running again this election cycle: Truman Bicum, Bob Baldwin, Kohn Fisher, James Sweet, David Comai and Craig Crambell.
Political Experience: Serving his second term as county commissioner
Occupation: Retired automotive sales agent
Why running: “I just like helping people.”
Political Experience: Served one term as Kalkaska County Commissioner
Occupation: Business owner, teaches classes on firearms at Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and Sportsman’s Warehouse
Why running: Wants to look out for the best interests of the people as commissioner
Political Experience: Serving his third term on the Kalkaska County Commission, served two terms on Garfield Township Commission
Occupation: Retired operations manager of shopping centers at Rouse Company
Why running: Still has more work to do on developing a new program and review process for county employees
Schollenberger did not respond to a request for comment.
Political Experience: Serving his seventh year on the Kalkaska County Commission
Why running: “I think I’m getting pretty good at what I do” and wants to continue current projects at the county level.
Political Experience: Never held office
Occupation: Compliance officer for the village of Kalkaska
Why running: “I think we need to focus on employee retention and reprioritize the budget expenditures.”
Editor's note: This story was updated 07/26/22 to correct an incorrect term in defining Michigan's primaries.
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