It’s official now: State Rep. Steven Johnson (R-Wayland) will be challenged by Wayland City Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Ante in the Aug. 7 Republican primary election for the 72^nd District.

The deadline for filing for partisan offices was 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. Both paid the $100 fee for filing.

Johnson, a military veteran, is serving in the State Legislaure for his second year after being elected in the August 2016 primary and in the November general

election. However, he has been viewed as vulnerable at the polls because he won the primary with five candidates with just 29% of the vote and failed to get 60% in the general in a district that virtually always gives the Republican a landslide.

Antel has served seven two-year terms on the City Council and has been mayor pro tem for the past six years. She also is coach of the Wayland Middle School track and cross-country teams, winning a special award a year ago.

Ron Draayer of Kentwood has filed for the seat as a Democrat and Jamie Lewis as a Libertarian.

The 72^nd District includes Leighton, Dorr and Wayland townships and the City of Wayland in Allegan County and Gaines Township and the City of Kentwood in Kent County.

Rep. Whiteford running unopposed in primary

In the 80^th District, which includes all of Allegan County except the aforementioned locations, will see incumbent Mary Whiteford running unopposed in the GOP primary for her second full term. Two Democrats from Fennville, Erik Almquist and Mark Ludwig will vie for the right to oppose Whiteford in November.

Three GOP candidates highlight senate primary race

The 26^th District State Senate contest will feature two former state representatives, Bob Genetski of Saugatuck and Aric Nesbitt of Lawton, and newcomer Don Wickstra of Hamilton.

Genetski was 80^th District representative from 2008 to 2014 and then was elected Allegan County Clerk in 2016. Nesbitt served in the State Legislature in the 79^th District from 2010 to 2016 and then was appointed State Lottery Commissioner, a post from which he resigned to run for the senate.

Democrat Garnet Lewis and Libertarian Erwin Haas both are unopposed in the primary.

The 26^th District takes in all of Allegan and Van Buren counties and the City of Kentwood and Gaines Township in Kent County.

Two Congress candidates pull out

Two congressional candidates failed to meet requirements to get on the primary ballot. Democrat Aida Gray and Republican Stephen Young will not be running for a Sixth District Congressional seat.

The race for U.S. Rep. will be a six-way contest for Democrats David Benac, Paul Clements, George Franklin, Rich Eicholtz, Eponine Garrod and Matt Longjohn. The winner will meet Republican incumbent Fred Upton, who is seeking his 17th two-year term, in November.