Troy residents have made their voices heard in the primary

TROY — 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%.

Sharon MacDonell won the Democratic primary race for the 56th State House seat with 6,902 votes, according to the unofficial tally. She beat out fellow Democrat Cyndi Peltonen, who received 4,821 votes. Nine write-in ballots were cast on the Democratic side.

In November, MacDonell will run against Republican Mark Gunn for a two-year term. Gunn ran unopposed and received 6,628 votes, with 13 write-in votes being cast on the Republican side. State representatives earn a salary of $71,685.

“I’m thrilled and honored that the Democratic voters of District 56 trust me to be their nominee in the general election. My campaign team is small but mighty, and we are ready to fight hard for this seat and for everyone in this district,” MacDonell said in an email. “I would also like to applaud my opponent Cyndi Peltonen for her years of public service and dedication to our community.”

Gunn said he is looking forward to facing off against MacDonell in November.

“I am very excited by the voters and support we have received,” he said in an email. “There was a great turnout by the voters in Clawson, Troy, Royal Oak, Bloomfield Hills and Birmingham. Our campaign received more votes than most candidates running unopposed by a large number. We have a large energetic team and we have been listening to the citizens in the 56th District. We know you want a change, and we are looking forward to representing you as your new State Representative.”

In the judicial race for the 4th Division of the 52nd District Court, incumbent Kirsten Nielsen Hartig, who received 7,326 votes, and challenger Tonya Goetz, who received 5,370 votes, will compete for a six-year term on the bench in November. The pair beat out Mike Bosnic, who received 5,050 votes.

Goetz did not respond to requests for comment.

The 4th Division of the 52nd District Court hears cases from portions of Troy and Clawson. A district court judge earns $45,724 from the county and $108,065 from the state annually.

“I am excited by the results of yesterday’s Primary win!” Hartig said in an email. “I will be working hard in the coming months towards victory in November.  I look forward to continuing to serve the citizens of Clawson and Troy.”

In the 8th District in the state Senate, Mallory McMorrow beat Marshall Bullock to represent the Democrats and will face Republican Brandon Ronald Simpson, who ran unopposed.