Orion Township voters decided the races for township supervisor, clerk and treasurer with the primary election on Aug. 3.
Incumbent Republican supervisor Jerry Dywasuk won against Republican challenger Richard Tomczak, who will step down from his post as Orion Township trustee after the Nov. 2 general election is decided. Dywasuk garnered 2,372 votes, while Tomczak had 1,870.
‘I’m glad I don’t have to go through this again in November, it’s kind of strenuous,? Dywasuk said. ‘I like getting out and talking to people person to person. I wish I could have talked to more…it really charges you up.?
Dywasuk said he respects Tomczak, and was happy the race for supervisor was run as a clean campaign.
‘Richard has been on the board for eight years,? Dywasuk said. ‘We’re all looking out for the best interests of the citizens…I’ll continue to work for Orion like I’ve always been.?
Incumbent Republican clerk Jill Bastian defeated Republican challengers Penny Shults and Michelle Lindow, getting 2,485 votes. Shults had 1,632, while Lindow finished with 264.
‘The campaign went well,? said Bastian. ‘I walked neighborhoods and people were very supportive, asking questions about issues.?
Bastian was also pleased with how smoothly the election process went in Orion Township, although she was disappointed in the 24 percent voter turnout.
‘We had hoped for 35 percent,? she said. ‘We got the feeling more people were going to participate.?
The treasurer’s seat on the Orion Township Board of Trustees will have a new face, as Republican Alice Young bested Republican Niles Olson in the primary. Young had 2,198 votes, while Olson had 1,910.
‘It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time,? Young said of the campaign. ‘I met so many nice people, and one of them was Niles Olson…I’m very excited and eager. I consider it a challenge, and I never faced one I ever walked away from.?
Young replaces current treasurer James Marleau, who moves on as the winner of the Republican Primary in the race for State Representative for the 46th District. Former District 46 State Representative Ruth Johnson defeated incumbent Republican G. William Caddell in the race for county clerk/register of deeds in the Primary.
Marleau defeated Republican challengers Roger Deaton (639 votes), Warren Lucas (260), and Gary Warner (301), with 2,905 votes. He will go up against Democratic challenger (unopposed in the Primary) Daniel Myslakowski in November.
The board of trustees should have some new faces, as incumbent Republican Will Wilsher lost his bid to move on to the General Election, getting 2,045 votes.
Incumbent Republican trustee Michael Gingell earned the most votes, 3,202, and moves on to the November election with newcomer Republicans John Garlicki (2,399); Matthew Gibb (2,697); and John Steimel (2,332).
Democratic newcomers Frank Joseph Granett and Mark Crane were unopposed in the primary and automatically move on to the General Election.
‘I’m pleased the public has chosen to give me another opportunity to serve,? Gingell said. ‘The board needs to work together…We have a lot of issues to focus on in the next four years.?
Gingell said he had more votes than he thought he would. ‘I’m grateful,? he said.
John Garlicki said he was excited about the make up of the board.
‘Those left standing are hard working individuals,? he said. ‘As far as November goes, I plan on working just as hard to get elected. The Primary was only a mile post, not the finish line.?
John Steimel was also looking ahead to November.
‘I don’t take anything for granted,? he said. ‘I’m excited about the results (of the Primary), but there is lots of work ahead.?
Incumbent Republican Eric Wilson will face Democratic challenger Regina Meo (unopposed in the Primary) in the race for county commissioner of the third district in November.
Wilson won the Republican Primary with 2,953 votes. Republican challenger Lana Mangiapane had 1,052.
Out of 22,914 registered voters in Orion Township, 5,536 total ballots were cast in the Aug. 3 Primary. Of the total, 4,618 were Republican, 752 Democratic and 166 non-partisan.