GOP stampede features comeback by Donald Trump

To say that the Republican Party regained its chops Tuesday in the general election would be an understatement.

Not only did standard bearer Donald Trump win a second term as president, but also the GOP regained control of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House was still being tallied. Closer to home, Republicans regained a majority in the State House and they even swept the school board races for Michigan State, Michigan and Wayne State universities.

Trump captured Michigan’s 15 electoral votes by outdoing Democrat Kamala Harris 49.8 to 48.3 percent. However, Democrat Elissa Slotkin was slightly ahead of Republican Mike Rogers in the contest for U.S. Senate, 48.66 to 48.37% at most recent count.

Bill Huizenga enjoyed a cakewalk in his bid for another two-year term in Congress from the Fourth District.

However, there was one race for the Michigan House that did not follow the pattern. Democrat Joey Andrews again defeated Kevin Whiteford for the 38th District, which includes a lot of Lake Michigan shoreline, notably in Allegan County.

In the 79th District, which takes in Leighton Township, Republican incumbent Angela Rigas parties down with more than 65% and former Martin Township Clerk Rachelle Smit once again polled better than 70 percent in the 43rd District, which includes most of the rest of Allegan County. Former Martin Board of Education Austin Marsman lost his bid to unseat Republican incumbent Matt Hall in the 42nd District.

Another bucking of the GOP trend was that incumbents Kimberly Thomas and Kyra Bolden, backed by Democrats, were returned to their seats on the Michigan Supreme Court.

There were no contests at all the six local townships, which featured Republicans running without opposition.

However, there were non-partisan races for school boards and Wayland City Council and for the newly created 48th Circuit Judgeship. The new judge will be Emily Jipp, despite a virtual attack on her by Dorr Township Trustee John Tuinstra attempting to paint a picture of her as a Democrat and Pro-Choice. She defeated Elizabeth Peterson, by about 52 to 48 percent.

Mayor Pro Tem Joe Kramer, former council member Tracy Bivins, and Norm Taylor picked up the three highest vote totals to win their seats. Incumbent Abe  Garcia and newcomer Abe Whittredge finished out of the money for the three open seats.

Incumbent Dan Cassini, at one time board president, was ousted from his seat on the Wayland Board of Education. Polling the most votes was newcomer Stephanie Tromp, who was identified heavily with the “Moms for Liberty” group. The other newcomer, community activist Erin Stepek, also was elected, along with incumbents Becky Hohnke and current President Theresa Dobry.

Hopkins Board of Education incumbent Karen Ryan was re-elected and she will be joined by former State Rep. Steve Johnson, who collected the most votes. Incumbent Ian Gibson was turned away.

Martin’s school board race was a bit confusing because President Melanie Conley did not seek re-election after winning a two-year seat two years ago. Eric Curry, appointed just last year to fill out a partial term, was elected to a full four-year term. Chuck Oxender was the winner of the contest for the other seat.

Leighton Township officials breathed a sign of relief Tuesday night after voters handily passed three millage proposals for roads and public safety services. All three requests were for renewals of current levies.