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August primary’s election has been marked in the books. A little more than 6,000 residents of Houghton County participated—voting on several local millage proposals and selecting candidates for primary nominations. A county-wide proposal to fund operations was passed 3803 to 1291 Votes. The City of Houghton and Portage Township residents also approved that the Portage Lake District Library will return to its 1.9606 mills supporting operations. In Adams Township residents had two proposals on the ballot in August. They were going on to approve both the school district’s bond millage, and street infrastructure millage.
In the candidate races for party nominations. Incumbent Representative Greg Markkanen and unchallenged democrat nominee Kim Corcoran will seek the 110th district seat in November. The 109th district had three candidates for each party nomination. Jenn Hill retained the democratic nomination. The incumbent representative from Marquette defeated Randy Girard and Margaret Brumm. On the Republican side of the ballot, local media personality Karl Bohnak earned the nomination ahead of Melody Wagner and Burt Mason. At the federal level, U.S. Representative Jack Bergman will run against democratic nominee Callie Barr. Both defeated challengers in their respective party races.
Houghton County August Election Summary
Ontonagon County August Election Summary
Baraga County August Election Summary
Primary Results:
Michigan House of Representatives District 109 Republican Race:
Karl Bohnak (R) 6,849 – 74.7%
Burt Mason (R) 1,389 – 15.2%
Melody Wagner (R) 927 – 10.1%
Michigan House of Representatives District 109 Democrat Race:
Jenn Hill (D) 9,639 – 80.2%
Randy Girard (D) 1,889 – 15.7%
Margaret Brumm (D) 495 – 4.1%
U.S. House of Representatives – Michigan District 1Democrat Race:
Callie Barr (D) 39,133 – 58.5%
Bob Lorinser (D) 27,715 – 41.5%
U.S. House of Representatives – Michigan District 1Democrat Race:
Jack Bergman (R) 85,779 – 79.3%
Josh Saul (R) 22,389 – 20.7%
U.S. Senate Michigan Democrat Race:
Elissa Slotkin (D) 592,134 – 77.2%
Hill Harper (D) 175,132 – 22.8%
U.S. Senate Michigan Republican Race:
Mike Rogers (R) 486,773 – 62.8%
Justin Amash (R) 125,092 – 16.1%
Sherry O’Donnell (R) 95,706 – 12.3%
Sandy Pensler (R) 68,024 – 8.8%
Houghton County August Results
Houghton County Operating Millage Renewal and Allocation
A request to renew 8 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) for Houghton County, its townships and the intermediate school district
Yes | 3,803 | 74.7% |
No | 1,291 | 25.3% |
Reporting 100%
Adams Township Road Millage
A request for 1 mill for 20 years (2024-2044) for improvements, repair and maintenance of public roads
Yes | 186 | 69.9% |
No | 80 | 30.1% |
Reporting 100%
Adams Township School District Bond Proposal
A request to borrow up to $5.9 million to improve school buildings
Yes | 230 | 58.1% |
No | 166 | 41.9% |
Reporting 100%
Portage Lake District Library Operational Millage Proposal
A request for 1.9606 mills for 7 years (2025-2031) for the purpose of providing funds for all district library purposes authorized by law
Yes | 829 | 74.3% |
No | 287 | 25.7% |
Reporting 100%
Laird Township Emergency Ambulance Millage Proposal
A request for 1.4896 mills for 7 years (2026-2032) for the purpose of providing and funding emergency ambulance service
Yes | 132 | 82.5% |
No | 28 | 17.5% |
Reporting 100%
Laird Township Fire Millage Proposal
A request for 2 mills for 7 years (2026-2032) for operating, equipping, constructing and purchasing for the fire department
Yes | 124 | 78% |
No | 35 | 22% |
Reporting 100%
Laird Township Road Millage Proposal
A request for 1 mill for 7 years (2026-2032) for constructing, preserving, improving, repairing, and maintaining roads and bridges in the township
Yes | 119 | 75.8% |
No | 38 | 24.2% |
Reporting 100%
Quincy Township Operations Millage Renewal
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for general township operating
Yes | 35 | 87.5% |
No | 5 | 12.5% |
Reporting 100%
Quincy Township Fire Protection Millage Renewal
A request or 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for the township fire fund
Yes | 38 | 95% |
No | 2 | 5% |
Reporting 100%
Schoolcraft Township Road Millage Renewal
A request for 1 mill for 10 years (2024-2033) for road repair and road improvements in the unincorporated areas of Schoolcraft Township
Yes | 123 | 73.2% |
No | 45 | 26.8% |
Reporting 100%
Stanton Township Public Schools Operating Millage Renewal Proposal
A request for 16.8725 mills for 7 years (2024-2030) to provide funds for district operating purposes
Yes | 266 | 72.5% |
No | 101 | 27.5% |
Reporting 100%
Houghton County Mine Inspector
Tom Wright (D) | 1,207 | 51% |
J. Murray Gillis (D) | 1,160 | 49% |
Reporting 100%
Calumet Township Trustee
Gary Lassila (R) | 326 | 22.4% |
David Yeo (R) | 311 | 21.3% |
Jeff West (R) | 302 | 20.7% |
Eugene A. Londo (R) | 265 | 18.2% |
Thomas L. Helppi (R) | 253 | 17.4% |
Open Seats: 4
Reporting 100%
Houghton County Board – District 2
Joel L. Keranen (R) | 505 | 74.5% |
Betsy Baril (R) | 173 | 25.5% |
Reporting 100%
Portage Township Supervisor
Brandon Scholie (R) | 186 | 58.3% |
Charles M. Roberts (R) | 133 | 41.7% |
Reporting 100%
Stanton Township Trustee
Mark Haataja (R) | 126 | 38.5% |
James Heinonen (R) | 120 | 36.7% |
Melissa Kangas (R) | 81 | 24.8% |
Open Seats: 2
Reporting 100%
Baraga County August Results:
Arvon Township Ambulance Service and EMT Fund Renewal Proposal
A request for 0.6 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) to support the ambulance service and the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) fund
Yes | 214 | 90.3% |
No | 23 | 9.7% |
Reporting 100%
Arvon Township Road Millage Proposal
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for improvements and construction of local roads and primary roads
Yes | 159 | 67.7% |
No | 76 | 32.3% |
Reporting 100%
Arvon Township Fire Millage
A request for 1.5 mills for 4 years (2024-2027) for fire operating and equipment
Yes | 175 | 74.5% |
No | 60 | 25.5% |
Reporting 100%
Baraga Township Ambulance Millage
A request for 1.5 mills for 4 years (2024-2027) to support ambulance operation and equipment
Yes | 498 | 86.3% |
No | 79 | 13.7% |
Reporting 100%
Covington Township Recreation Proposition
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for recreational purposes
Yes | 76 | 73.8% |
No | 27 | 26.2% |
Reporting 100%
Covington Township Ambulance Proposition
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for ambulance service
Yes | 84 | 80.8% |
No | 20 | 19.2% |
Reporting 100%
Covington Township Fire Proposition
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for fire service
Yes | 79 | 76% |
No | 25 | 24% |
Reporting 100%
L’Anse Township Fire Millage Renewal Proposal
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing and funding a fire service
Yes | 738 | 83.4% |
No | 147 | 16.6% |
Reporting 100%
L’Anse Township Emergency Ambulance Millage Proposal
A request for 1.5 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing and funding emergency ambulance service
Yes | 745 | 83.8% |
No | 144 | 16.2% |
Reporting 100%
Spurr Township Fire and EMS Service
A request for 2.5 mills for 7 years (2024-2030) for providing fire protection and emergency management services
Yes | 101 | 91% |
No | 10 | 9% |
Reporting 100%
Spurr Township Garbage Millage
A request for 2.25 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) for special service and contracted garbage pickup and removal
Yes | 100 | 90.1% |
No | 11 | 9.9% |
Reporting 100%
Spurr Township Road Millage
A request for 2 mills for 6 years (2025-2030) for improvements and maintenance of the current and existing roads
Yes | 97 | 87.4% |
No | 14 | 12.6% |
Reporting 100%
Spurr Township Cemetery Millage
A request for 0.35 mill for 5 years (2024-2028) to share expenditures of the Michigamme Lakeview Cemetery for burial of Spurr Township residents
Yes | 88 | 79.3% |
No | 23 | 20.7% |
Reporting 100%
Baraga County Board – District 1
James Michael Niemela (R) | 150 | 57.7% |
Nicholas Lozier (R) | 110 | 42.3% |
Reporting 100%
Ontonagon County August Results
Ontonagon County Public Transit Operating Millage
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) to fund the Ontonagon County Public Transit System operation
Yes | 1,367 | 78.4% |
No | 377 | 21.6% |
Reporting 100%
Ontonagon County Separate Tax Limitations Proposal
For 4 years, tax limitations would be: County 6.52 mills, Townships 1 mill, Intermediate school district 0.32 mill
Yes | 1,287 | 75.4% |
No | 421 | 24.6% |
Reporting 100%
Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Senior Millage Renewal
A request for 0.3 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for the operation of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Senior Citizens Programs
Yes | 1,445 | 82.9% |
No | 298 | 17.1% |
Reporting 100%
Ontonagon County Ambulance Services Millage
A request for 2 mills for 4 years (2024-2025) that would repeal and replace the existing 1.25 mill levy to provide ambulance services for the county
Yes | 1,482 | 84.7% |
No | 268 | 15.3% |
Reporting 100%
Bergland Township Operations Millage
A request for 2 mills for 10 years (2025-2034) for general operating purposes
Yes | 102 | 55.1% |
No | 83 | 44.9% |
Reporting 100%
Bergland Township Roads Millage
A request for 1.5 mills for 10 years (2025-2034) for construction, improvement, and maintenance of public roads and storm sewers
Yes | 113 | 60.8% |
No | 73 | 39.2% |
Reporting 100%
Bergland Township Parks and Cemetery Millage
A request for 0.5 mill for 5 years (2025-2029) for operation, improvement, and maintenance of township parks and cemeteries
Yes | 115 | 62.2% |
No | 70 | 37.8% |
Reporting 100%
Greenland Township Fire Millage Renewal
A request for 1 mill for 5 years (2024-2028) for major fire department and facilities improvements
Yes | 129 | 86.6% |
No | 20 | 13.4% |
Reporting 100%
Greenland Township General Fund Millage Renewal Proposal
A request for 2 mills for 5 years (2024-2028) for operating and facility repairs/improvements
Yes | 109 | 74.1% |
No | 38 | 25.9% |
Reporting 100%
Haight Township Proposal for New Fire Protection Services
A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for the purpose of contracting with Stannard Township for fire protection and emergency services and operations
Yes | 51 | 96.2% |
No | 2 | 3.8% |
Reporting 100%
Interior Township General Fund Millage Renewal
A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for the general fund
Yes | 48 | 76.2% |
No | 15 | 23.8% |
Reporting 100%
Matchwood Township General Fund Millage Renewal
A request for 2 mills for 2 years (2024-2025) for the township general fund
Yes | 20 | 54.1% |
No | 17 | 45.9% |
Reporting 100%
McMillan Township Library Millage Renewal
A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing library services
Yes | 111 | 83.5% |
No | 22 | 16.5% |
Reporting 100%
McMillan Township Library Millage Increase Proposal
A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for providing library services
Yes | 84 | 67.7% |
No | 40 | 32.3% |
Reporting 100%
McMillan Township Fire Department Millage Renewal
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for operating revenue for fire protection and prevention
Yes | 130 | 97% |
No | 4 | 3% |
Reporting 100%
McMillan Township Streets and Roads Millage Renewal
A request for 2 mills for 4 years (2025-2028) to be used for streets and roads
Yes | 115 | 87.1% |
No | 17 | 12.9% |
Reporting 100%
McMillan Township Street and Roads Millage Increase
A request for 0.5 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) to be used for streets and roads
Yes | 90 | 70.3% |
No | 38 | 29.7% |
Reporting 100%
Ontonagon Township Library Millage Renewal
A request for 0.5 mill for 10 years (2024-2033) for township library services
Yes | 538 | 83.7% |
No | 105 | 16.3% |
Reporting 100%
Ontonagon Township Road Millage Renewal
A request for 1 mill for 20 years (2024-2043) for the township road fund
Yes | 549 | 85.1% |
No | 96 | 14.9% |
Reporting 100%
Bergland Township Supervisor
Jack Otlewis (R) | 90 | 62.9% |
David Roberts (R) | 53 | 37.1% |
Reporting 100%
Ontonagon Township Trustee
Dennis H. O’Brien (R) | 283 | 45.8% |
Kayln Store (R) | 219 | 35.4% |
Sue E. Lockhart (R) | 116 | 18.8% |
Open Seats: 2
Reporting 100%
Gogebic County August Results
Gogebic County Senior Citizens Program Proposal
A request for 0.6 mill for 4 years (2024-2027) for the operation of the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency Senior Citizens Programs
Yes | 2,400 | 84.6% |
No | 438 | 15.4% |
Reporting 100%
Gogebic County Emergency Medical Service Renewal/Restoration Proposal
A request for 0.9943 mill for 3 years (2025-2027) to restore funds to supplement countywide emergency medical care, equipment, training and other related expenses
Yes | 2,158 | 77.8% |
No | 614 | 22.2% |
Reporting 100%
Gogebic County 911 Operation Renewal Surcharge Proposal
A request to charge a monthly operational surcharge of up to $3 on monthly phone bills of county residents to fund 911 emergency call answering and dispatch services
Yes | 2,115 | 76.5% |
No | 648 | 23.5% |
Reporting 100%
Gogebic County Transit Proposal
A request for 0.33 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) for the continued operation of the Gogebic County Transit System
Yes | 2,333 | 82.6% |
No | 490 | 17.4% |
Reporting 100%
Ironwood Pat O’Donnell Civic Center Millage Renewal
A request for 1 mill for 4 years (2025-2028) to be used exclusively for the continued operation, support and maintenance of the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center
Yes | 650 | 73.7% |
No | 232 | 26.3% |
Reporting 100%
Gogebic County Board – District 1
Dan Siirila (R) | 143 | 50.4% |
Bob Michaels (R) | 141 | 49.6% |
Reporting 100%
Marenisco Township Treasurer
Kathy Leonard (D) | 37 | 67.3% |
Chris Longley (D) | 18 | 32.7% |
Reporting 100%
Watersmeet Township Trustee
John T. Oliver III (R) | 138 | 28% |
Simon Zelinski (R) | 133 | 27% |
Alan Ison (R) | 121 | 24.6% |
Albert Peterson (R) | 100 | 20.3% |
Open Seats: 2
Reporting 100%
