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 72nd 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 72nd 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 80th 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 26th 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 80th District representative from 2008 to 2014 and then was elected Allegan County Clerk in 2016. Nesbitt served in the State Legislature in the 79th 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 26th 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.
I honor any person willing to serve their country in the military and elected office. I also believe truth in advertising is paramount in any endeavor. There is only one Republican running as our State Representative, Mr. Steve Johnson. I say that not because I support Mr. Johnson, I say it because Ms. Antel is not a registered Republican, she is “unaffiliated” according to information on the county voting registration. So in actuality, she should be running as an “Independent”.
I have had conversations with Mr. Johnson and have viewed his voting record, and he acts and votes like a Republican – spending money like it was his own, being judicious and practical in approach and vote, supports the Second Amendment, Right to Life, and has done a commendable job in the state legislature.
Ms. Antel, being a member of the City Council, oversees the highest tax base of any city in the county of Allegan. She and others on the council have lavished money on the Wayland City Police Dept. to the extent Tahoes are the vehicle of choice for a small town. Anything the Police Chief wants, he gets, not many questions asked. There was never an open area Ms. Antel didn’t want to turn into a park or trail to nowhere. And now she wants for run as a Republican? Please vote for a proven Republican representative – Mr. Steve Johnson.
“That kid @davidhogg111 is just an actor and @CNN needs some new ones.”
— Bob Genetski (@vote4bobg) February 27, 2018
We hold all of our officials to a higher standard and expect constructive comments. This is another example of why Mr. Genetski will not get my vote.