Rochester area voters weigh in on Election Day

ROCHESTER/ROCHESTER HILLS/OAKLAND TOWNSHIP — Voters made their party picks for governor, candidates for Congress and a number of local races in Oakland County Aug. 2.

Tudor Dixon emerged as the presumed winner of the Aug. 2 race for a Republican gubernatorial nominee.

At press time, according to Michigan’s elections website, Dixon won with 40.57%, which means she’ll vie against incumbent Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November.

Dixon was followed by Kevin Rinke, 21.97%; Garrett Soldano, 17.89%; Ryan Kelley, 15.39%; and Ralph Rebandt, 4.19%.

In the U.S. House of Representatives District 9, Republican Lisa McClain outpaced Republican Michelle R. E. Donovan to compete against Democrat Brain Jaye for one two-year term in November. McClain earned 96,921 votes in the primary, while Donovan received 26,199 votes, according to unofficial results from the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. Jaye, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, collected 48,800 votes. The salary for a state senator is $71,685.

In the state House of Representatives race for the 54th District, Shadia Martini won the Democratic race with 39.28% of the vote. Martini was followed by Stephanie Fakih, 35.29%, and Gary Gerson, 25.43%. For the Republican race, Donni Steele took 57.58% of the vote to Sandy Kiesel’s 42.42%.

For the state House of Representatives District 55, Democrat Patricia Bernard outpaced Democrat Neil R. Oza to face off against Republican Mark Tisdel this November for a two-year term. Bernard earned 5,015 votes, while Oza brought in 4,619 votes, according to unofficial results. Tisdel, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, earned 9,430 votes. State representatives earn a salary of $71,685.

Five candidates ran for the Republican nomination to compete against Democrat Emily C. Busch for one two-year term in the state House of Representatives for District 66 in November.

Josh Schriver came out on top with 5,647 votes, followed by Mary Berlingieri with 4,052 votes. Jacob E. Newby earned 3,209 votes, Charles Shelton had 988 votes, and Andrew Arendoski received 929 votes, according to unofficial results from the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office. Busch, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, received 5,994 votes.

Democrat Brendan Johnson prevailed over Democrat Marilyn Bonucci to earn the Democratic nomination for Oakland County Board of Commissioners in District 4 in November. Johnson received 4,629 votes, while Bonucci received 1,775 votes, according to unofficial results from the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds Office.

Republican Kevin R. McDaniel outpaced Republican Wilbur C. Sims III for the Republican nomination, 4,748 votes to 606 votes, according to unofficial results. Johnson will now compete against McDaniel for one, two-year term on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in District 4 in November. Commissioners earn an approximately $36,000 salary.

Michael J. Gingell beat Heather Smiley for the Republican nomination to compete against Democrat Sarah B. Pounds for one two-year term on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in District 6 in November.

Gingell received 5,905 votes in the primary, while Smiley earned 2,811 votes, according to unofficial results. Pounds, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination, garnered 5,890 votes.

In Oakland Township, Republican Matthew Peklo beat Judy Workings for the Republican nomination for Oakland Township parks commissioner in November, with a term ending Nov. 20, 2024. Peklo received 1,811 votes, while Workings earned 967 votes. There were no Democratic candidates in this race. Commissioners earn a stipend per meeting attended. The value of the stipend was not available at press time.

For more information about Oakland County elections, visit www.oakgov.com/clerkrod/elections.