Vote Concludes Today – Election Preview

The 2020 general election concludes today. Traffic at the polls is expected to be lighter than in recent elections, but that’s because 96 million Americans have already voted. 

Voters will choose between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden for president. No third-party candidate has made a serious impact on this year’s race. 

Locally, there are a lot of decisions to be made. Here are some of the contested races we’re following…
• Republican John James is challenging incumbent Democrat Gary Peters in the U.S. Senate race.
• Democrat Dana Ferguson is challenging incumbent Republican Jack Bergman for the U.S. House of Representatives first district seat.
• Democrat Janet Metsa is challenging incumbent Republican Greg Markkanen for the 110th State House of Representatives seat.

 • Two statewide ballot issues will ask voters to restructure how Natural Resources Trust Fund and State Parks Endowment Fund money is allocated, and to require warrants for searches of electronic data.

In Houghton County…
• Three names are on the ballot for sheriff – incumbent Brian McLean, Roger Sullivan, and Josh Saaranen. Saaranen has not been seeking votes, and has endorsed McLean. Steve Laux, who lost badly to McLean in the Republican primary, announced a write-in campaign.
• The most controversial race is for Houghton County Clerk. Republican challenger Justin Kasieta is under investigation for his admitted involvement in a phone call to Democratic incumbent Jennifer Kelly, in which threats were allegedly made against Kelly. Kelly faces a lawsuit filed recently by an employee who says Kelly defamed her and revealed confidential information.
• There are three contested county commission races – incumbent Tom Tikkanen against challenger Amy Broderson in the first district, incumbent Al Koskela against challenger Mark Pavolich in the second district, and incumbent Glenn Anderson against challenger Dan Holcomb in the third district.
• Five candidates are running for three available seats on the Houghton City Council, including incumbents John Sullivan and Philip Foltz, and challengers Virginia Cole, Brian Irizarry and Joan Suits. Councilor Rachel Lankton is retiring.
• In Hancock, four candidates are running for one at-large seat on the city council, including incumbent John Haeussler, and challengers James De Clerck, Margo Pizzi, and Robert Stites. There are two candidates on the ballot for the Ward Three seat – incumbent John Slivon, and challenger Kurt Rickard. Tim Givens has mounted a write-in campaign.

In Baraga County…
• The race to replace retiring sheriff Rick Johnson is between current chief deputy Joe Brogan and Roger Dault.
• Tammy Magaraggia is challenging incumbent county clerk Wendy Goodreau.
• There are several contested county board races – Liz Hakola against incumbent Gale Eilola in the first district, and Will Wiggins against incumbent Mike Koskinen in the second district. In the fourth district, Lyle Olsen faces Fran Whitman for the seat left open by the retirement of longtime commissioner Bill Menge.
• Sandy Johnson, Anthony Mayo and Jeannine Mayo are fighting for two available seats on the Baraga village council.

In Keweenaw County…
• Incumbent fifth district commissioner Sandra Gayk faces a challenge from Randy Eckloff.
• Voters are being asked to renew a half-mill levy to support law enforcement.

There are some contested township and school board races, and some township and school millage requests. See what’s on your ballot here.

Get full results tonight on 97.7 The Wolf, and at KeweenawReport.com.