Leelanau leans blue as Democrats hold County Commission, send Coffia to State House

From staff reports

Leelanau County leaned blue in yesterday’s midterm election—as the red wave that Republicans hoped for nationwide never materialized.

By the slimmest of margins, Democrats will keep a 4-3 majority on the County Board of Commissioners, as challenger Jamie Kramer narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Rick Robbins, 1,030 to 1,005, in District 1, and Democrat Kama Ross squeaked by Republican Alan Campbell, 1,173 to 1,135, in District 5. Incumbent Ty Wessell also beat Republican challenger Mike McMillan in District 4, 1,290 to 680, and incumbent Gwenne Allgaier bested challenger Garrick Collins, 1,432 to 989, in District 6.

For the Republicans, James O’Rourke beat Don Gallagher, 973 to 1,083, in District 2, Melinda Lautner overcame Nancy Flanagan, 857 to 1,052, and Doug Rexroat upset incumbent Lois Bahle, 1,145 to 1,229, in District 3.

County Clerk Michelle Crocker said the results are unofficial and will be canvassed on Thursday.

Democrats surpassed Republicans in straight-party ticket voting yesterday, 3,699 to 3,638.

Democrat Betsy Coffia narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Jack O’Malley in the 103rd State House race by fewer than 800 votes—on the strength of her performance in the Traverse City region and here in Leelanau, where she won 7,565 to 7,527 votes.

“Final totals are in at last. We won. Thank you to the people of the 103,” she wrote on Facebook early this morning.

O’Malley conceded, congratulating Coffia with the following message on Facebook:

“It’s been an honor to serve you as your State Representative. The election results may be personally disappointing but I am proud of our work and our campaign to represent northern Michigan. Thank you to every one of my supporters and my team who invested time, energy, and resources into this election. I appreciate each and everyone of you.”Betsy Coffia has earned the voters’ trust to be the next state representative for the 103rd. I congratulate Betsy on her win and wish her the best as she transitions into the position.”

Democrats have won the state legislature for the first time since 1984.

In statewide races, Leelanau backed Democrats. Reelected Governor Gretchen Whitmer beat Tudor Dixon, 8,540 to 6,752, here; Attorney General Dana Nessel beat Matthew DePerno, 8,267 to 6,725, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson beat Kristina Karamo, 8,534 to 6,633.

Though Republican John DaMoose beat Democrat (and Northport resident) Barb Conley in the State Senate Race, Conley received more votes than him in Leelanau, 7,796 to 7,263. And Republican Congressman Jack Bergman handily defeated Democrat Bob Lorinser, but only by 7,477 to 7,467 votes here in Leelanau.

Leelanau also backed the ballot proposals: Prop 1 (term limits) passed, 10,146 to 4,828; Prop 2 (voting) passed 9,174 to 5,863; Prop 3 (women’s reproductive rights) passed 8,791 to 6,417

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