Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Maria Graser votes in Michigan's primary election at the Ironwood Township Hall Tuesday.
By LARRY HOLCOMBE
Voters in Gogebic County renewed two millages in Tuesday's primary election - continuing support of the HOPE Animal Shelter and a parttime animal control officer; as well as the Gogebic Medical Care Facility.
The animal control program millage renewal passed with 84% of the vote, 2,099 to 410. It calls for an annual levy of 0.2 mills over four years to support the operation of the HOPE Animal Shelter and part-time animal control officer. The millage runs through 2025 and has been at the same rate since 1998.
The Medical Care Facility's Maintenance of Effort millage renewal passed with 86% of the vote, 2,135 to 360. The 0.6 mills over four years runs through 2026, and is at the same rate since 2019.
Gogebic County Sheriff Ross Solberg won the Democratic primary Tuesday, and will face no opposition on the Nov. 8 general election ballot, to fill out a partial term as sheriff ending Dec. 21, 2024. He was appointed to the position in January after former Sheriff Pete Matonich retired.
All seven members of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners were running unopposed in their primaries in efforts for re-election in November. The only contest on the Nov. 8 general election ballot will be in District 2, where incumbent Democrat Tom Laabs, of Ironwood, will face challenger Dan Wood, a Republican.
The other commissioners will face no competition on November's ballot, including Republican Dan Siirla in District 1; and Democrats Jim Byrns, District 3; James Lorenson, District 4; Joe Bonovetz, District 5; Bob Orlich, District 6; and George Peterson, District 7.
Voters in the Watersmeet Township School District approved a Headlee Amendment override with 58% of the vote, 165-119. The common move by districts across the state allows the district to levy up to 18 mills on property, other than principal residence or otherwise exempt, required for the district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance from the state.
Turnout across Gogebic County was at 19%, with 2,648 of the 14,097 registered voters casting ballots.
38th State Senate District
State Sen. Edward McBroom, of Waucedah Township, fended off two challengers in Tuesday's Republican primary. He garnered 24,342 votes (77%), compared to 4,156 (13%) for Kayla Wikstrom and 2,943 (10%) for Matthew Furyk. McBroom will face Democrat John Braamse in November's general election. Braamse was the only candidate on the Democrat on the ballot for the office Tuesday.
In Gogebic County, McBroom had 70% of the Republican votes Tuesday, compared to 16% for Furyk and 14% for Wikstrom.
In Ontonagon County, McBroom had 83%; Wikstrom, 11%; and Furyk, 6%.
Others
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, will face Democrat Bob Lorinser of Marquette in November for Michigan's First Congressional District seat. Both ran unopposed in Tuesday's primary election.
State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-L'Anse, will face Democrat Casey VerBerkmoes of Hubbell for the 110th District seat in November. They, too, run unopposed in Tuesday's primary election.
