U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin narrowly defeated former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, lining herself up to be Michigan’s second-ever female U.S. senator and preventing Republicans from grabbing a seat they haven’t touched in more than 20 years.
MIRS called the race, which was razor-thin throughout the night; Slotkin was able to slightly over-perform Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, narrowly winning Muskegon and Saginaw counties, two counties Harris was not able to win. While Rogers was up on Slotkin much of the day, the late votes coming out of Kalamazoo County pushed her over the edge and the final precincts from Wayne County will put her ahead for good.
In Livingston County, Rogers got nearly 67% of the vote, with Slotkin earning 30.5%.
Barrett defeats Hertel to flip the 7th
Republican former state Sen. Tom Barrett won the race to replace U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who won her race for U.S. Senate against former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers.
Barrett scored a wider-than-expected victory over Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr., whose campaign lagged in the closing weeks and failed to replicate the prior success of outgoing U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly).
With 98 percent of the vote reported, Barrett had 50.3 percent – 226,694 votes – to Hertel’s 46.6 percent. Despite the millions of dollars and surrogate effort put in by Democrats to carry Hertel across the finish line, the Democrat proved to be less successful than Slotkin at appealing to ticket splitters and independents in the redder areas of the district, particularly Livingston County.
Ultimately, the support of Michigan State University students and Lansing-area Democrats wasn’t enough for Hertel to make up the deficit, which many in the district attributed to a consistent message from Republicans painting Hertel as a “liberal lobbyist” without much pushback from Democrats.
Hertel conceded the election in a 3 a.m. press release.
“To my opponent, Congressman-elect Tom Barrett: I applaud your decades of service to our nation in the Army, and I wish you well as you begin this next chapter of service,” Hertel said in the statement. “To every single volunteer, supporter and member of Team Hertel who helped our campaign – from building yard signs, to donating a few bucks, to knocking doors and making calls – I will forever be grateful, and I am sorry this election did not turn out differently.”
Former President Trump wins second term
Nationally, 45th President Donald Trump is going to be 47th President Donald Trump after knocking off Vice President Kamala Harris by 4 points.
In Livingston County, Trump beat Harris by 28 points.
No pot businesses in Howell
The proposed city charter amendment in Howell to allow for recreational marijuana business in the city lost by 5 points.
Millages fare well
• The second time was the charm for the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority, which lost in the August primary, not because it didn’t get enough votes, but because it failed in Marion Township by less than 200 votes.
In order to pass, the millage had to win in all of the townships it covers, a rule that is specific to parks and re authorities. It passed all in the General Election.
• The LESA Special Education millage renewal won handily by 27 points.
• The Brighton Area Fire Authority millage scored a big win by 41 points.
Controversial pastor gains seat on Hartland library board
William Bolin, leader of FloodGate Church, which gained notoriety for staying open for services during the pandemic, won a seat on the Hartland Cromaine Library Board.
For the complete unofficial results, click here.
