Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Bessemer — With the passage of Tuesday’s filing deadline, the August primary ballot has become clearer for Gogebic County voters.
At the county level, Prosecutor Nicholas Jacobs, Clerk Gerry Pelissero, Treasurer Sue Pertile and Drain Commissioner James Loeper are running unopposed. All identified as Democrats, except Loeper, who is running as a Republican.
Also on the Democratic ballot, Sheriff Pete Matonich is being challenged by Gordon Koski.
On the county board, Dan Siiirila is running unopposed to represent Ironwood Township in District 1, a seat now held by Leroy Kangas.
Incumbent Tom Laabs is challenged by Dave Ramme in Laabs’ re-election bid to represent Ironwood’s Precinct 1 in District 2. James Oliver is running for re-election unopposed in District 3, representing Ironwood’s Precinct 2. Jeffrey Wasley’s re-election effort, representing Ironwood’s Precinct 3, Erwin Township and part of Bessemer Township in District 4, is also unopposed. Current county board chairman Joseph Bonovetz is running for re-election representing Bessemer and part of Bessemer Township in District 5.
Bob Orlich — representing Wakefield and Wakefield Township — and George Peterson, representing Marenisco and Watersmeet townships, are also running unopposed in districts 6 and 7 respectively.
At the township level, Marenisco Township has Supervisor Richard Bouvette, Clerk Donna Kenney, Treasurer Diane Dean and Trustee David Hagen all running for re-election; with newcomer Kelly Dunbar running for the board’s second trustee position.
In Bessemer Township, the current board members — Supervisor Jeff Randall, Treasurer Jerry Grenfell, Clerk Debbie Janczak, Trustee Hope Tarnaski and Trustee Beverly Ikola — are all running for re-election unopposed.
In Wakefield Township, Supervisor John Cox, Clerk Mandy Lake and Treasurer Joan Dalman are all running for re-election. The township board will have three candidates running for two seats on the August ballot, with incumbent James Spencer facing off against Gerald Niemi and Michael Heikkila.
In Watersmeet Township, Supervisor Mike Rogers, Clerk Sandy Mansfield, Treasurer Paul Kemppainen and Trustee Bill Neumann are all running for re-election. Neumann is facing Alan Piel and Julie Mathiesen for the two trustee seats on the board.
In Erwin Township, Supervisor Larry Grimsby, Clerk Vicky Finco and Treasurer Renee Hill are hoping to continue to serve on the board for another term. Both trustees — Ray Brown and William Hellen — are running for re-election, along with challenger James Anderson.
Ironwood Township will have the most names on the ballot.
Current Trustee Steve Boyd and Marvin LaGrew are running to replace Alan Baron as supervisor. Clerk Mary Segalin is running unopposed. Treasurer Jyl Olson-DeRosso is facing a challenge from Maria Graser. Seven candidates have filed to run for the township’s four trustee seats. Six of them — incumbents Bernard Brunello and Kevin Lyons, Marlene Saari Mieloszyk, Darrin Kimbler, Rudy Grbavcich and Robin Lonsway Bock — are running as Democrats, while Bev Michaels filed as a Republican. Pelissero said this means Michaels advances to the November general election, while the top four vote-getters on the Democratic ballot also advance.
Pelissero said while the party-affiliated races are set, those not declaring a party affiliation can still file papers to run.
Mark McDonald filed papers challenging Michael Pope for his seat as Gogebic-Ontonagon Circuit Court Judge, however because only two candidates are running, Pelissero said that race would be decided in November.
At the state level, both Democratic incumbent Scott Dianda and Republican Gregory Markkanen are unopposed in their respective primaries — setting up November’s contest to represent the 110th State House District.
Five candidates will appear on the August ballot in the race to represent Michigan’s First Congressional District in Washington D.C.
The Republican race will feature Jason Allen, Jack Bergman and Tom Casperson, while Jerry Cannon and Lon Johnson face off on the Democratic side.
The winners of the two primary contests will advance to November.
