Dorr Township Trustee John Tuinstra has decided to seek a fourth four-year term on the Township Board after all.
Tuinstra’s and several other incumbents’ names were absent from the list of candidates whose deadline for filing was 4 p.m. Tuesday. However, in his case, his name appeared after 4:15 p.m.
Tuinstra, a fierce defender of term limits when making decisions about appointments, absorbed criticism from colleagues and Townbroadcast for not practicing what he preached by serving on the board for 12 years. His tenure as a trustee since 2012 was highlighted by controversy, including his halting of razing of a building on property the township purchased for expanding the Dorr Park and accusations he tape recorded a Planning Commission meeting after it was completed.
Trustees Dan Weber, Chandler Stanton and Pat Champion all filed for another term, as did Clerk Debbie Sewers, Treasurer Laurie Perry and Supervisor Jeff Miling.
Several local officials have decided not to run again.
Watson Township Clerk Kelli Morris, listed as the only Democrat on the Watson Township Board, was absent on the list for that body after serving for two decades, and Trustee John Caras won’t seek re-election after completing the unfinished term of Jack Wood. He was elected to the seat in August 2022.
Morris will be succeeded by Mary Ann Baker and Caras by Joseph Yearout, both of whom will be unopposed in the August primary and November general election.
Ann McInerney announced earlier this year she was stepping down and she will be replaced Lillian DeKoning in Wayland Township.
Leighton and Martin Township Board officials all filed for another term, including newcomer Jim DeYoung, who succeeds longtime Trustee Jack Sipple, who retired last month.
But one contest has surfaced in nearby Monterey Township, where incumbent Supervisor Henry Reinart will be opposed by Stephan Young, former chairman of the Allegan County Tea Party.
Another challenge will be from Cade Bolser against incumbent Supervisor Mark Evans in Hopkins Township.
Dean Brandt will oppose incumbent Sheriff Frank Baker on Aug. 6 and Bret Medemar will take on Scott Beltman in a race for 3rd District Allegan County Commissioner.
Perhaps the most bitter and contentious race of all, however, will be the rematch between Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Koch and Michael Villar. Only 17 votes separated them in 2020.
Alice bernal, Emily Jipp and Elizabeth Peterson are the three candidates for 48th Circuit Court.
