Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By LARRY HOLCOMBE
Voters across the country will head to the polls Tuesday for the midterm election, and the balance of power in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives hangs in the balance, but down the ballot are important races for state and local positions, as well.
Polls are open in Michigan and Wisconsin on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Michigan
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, faces a challenge from Democrat Bob Lorinser of Marquette, for Michigan’s First Congressional District seat. Also on the ballot are Libertarian Andrew Gale and Liz Hakola, a Working Class Party member.
Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is running for re-election against a crowded ballot including Republican Tudor Dixon, as well as Mary Buzuma, Libertarian; Donna Brandenburg, U.S. Taxpayers; Kevin Hogan, Green; and Daryl Simpson, Natural Law.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, is facing challenges from Kristina Karamo, Republican; Gregory Stempfle, Libertarian; Christine Schwartz, U.S. Taxpayers; and Larry Hutchinson, Green.
Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Matthew DePerno, Republican; Joseph McHugh, Libertarian; and Gerald Van Sickle, U.S. Taxpayers.
State Sen. Edward McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, will face Democrat John Braamse, Marquette, for the 38th State Senate district seat.
State Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-L’Anse, will face Democrat Casey VerBerkmoes of Hubbell for the 110th District State House seat.
Proposals
There three proposals on the ballot to amend the Michigan’s state constitution.
Proposal 1 will require annual financial disclosure reports from those holding state office, and change term limits for state senate and house members to a combined total of 12 years.
Proposal 2 will add several provisions to the constitution regarding elections, including recognizing a fundamental right to vote without harassment, require military and overseas ballots to be counted if postmarked by election day, provide right to verify identity with photo ID or signed statement, provide a single application to vote absentee in all elections, require drop boxes for absentee ballots and postage for absentee applications and ballots, require nine days of early in-person voting, allow donations to fund elections that must be disclosed, and require canvass boards to certify election results based only on the official records of votes cast.
Proposal 3 establishes a new individual right to reproductive freedom, including the right to make all decisions about pregnancy and abortion, including the right to make and carry out all decisions about pregnancy such as prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management and infertility; while allowing the state to regulate abortion after fetal viability, but not to prohibit if medically needed to protect a patient’s life or physical or mental health.
Gogebic County
Gogebic County Sheriff Ross Solberg, a Democrat, faces no opposition to fill out a partial term as sheriff ending Dec. 21, 2024. He was appointed to the position in January after former Sheriff Pete Matonich retired.
All seven members of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners are running unopposed on the ballot for re-election. They include Republican Dan Siirla in District 1; and Democrats Tom Laabs in District 2; Jim Byrns, District 3; James Lorenson, District 4; Joe Bonovetz, District 5; Bob Orlich, District 6; and George Peterson, District 7.
Education
In Ironwood, there are seven candidates running for four seats on the Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education, including: incumbents Brenda Agee, Clancey Byrne and Caroline Delich; as well as newcomers Rozina Doss, Chandra Moreno, Aaron Ruotsala and Ashley Weber-Jarvenpaa.
In Bessemer, there are four candidates running for three open seats on the Bessemer Area Schools board of education, including: Tara Graham, Richard J. Matrella, Bill McDonald and Beth Steiger.
There are four people running for four seats on the Wakefield-Marenisco School Board, including Renaldo Boetto, Cory Halberg, Stacie Rooni and Brandon Yuchasz.
There are four people running for four seats on the Ontonagon Area School Board, including: Staci Jolliff-Bengogullari, Nancy Mattson, Tammy Stasser and Josh Yaklyvich.
The Ontonagon school district is also asking voters to approve a millage to purchase new school buses.
There are six people running for four seats on the Ewen-Trout Creek school board, including Maggi Brown, Shawn Brown, Chuck Eldridge, Cincy Ellsworth, Victoria Hahka and Ann Morrison.
Voters in the Wakefield-Marenisco and Ewen-Trout Creek school districts are asked to approve a Headlee Amendment override. The common move by districts across the state allows the district to levy up to 18 mills on property, other than principal residence or otherwise exempt, required for the district to receive its full revenue per pupil foundation allowance from the state.
For the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District Board, there are three people running for three seats, including: James Ojala, Catherine Shamion and Marti Wegner.
There are three candidates running for three seats on the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees, including incumbent Susan Beals and newcomers Michael McPherson and Robert Stempihar.
Ontonagon County
Pamela Coey and Tony Smydra are running for the office of village president.
There are seven people running for three open two-year terms on the Ontonagon Village Board, including: Carly Hesterberg, Latitia Hixon, Sarah Hopper, Brittany Penegor, Debra Seid, Daniel Sullivan and Matthew Wiesen. Mike Rebholz is running unopposed for a partial one-year term on the board.
For the Ontonagon County Board of Commissioners, there is only one contested race on the ballot — in District 5, Democrat Marlene Broemer is facing independent candidate Ron Store.
The other county board member races are uncontested, including: Democrats John Cane, District 1; Richard Bourdeau, District 2; Carl R. Nykanen, District 4; and Republican Robert Nousiainen, District 3.
Wisconsin
Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson faces a challenge for his senate seat from Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democrat.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, of Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District, faces a challenge from Richard Ausman, D-Lac du Flambeau.
On the state level, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, is running for re-election against Republican businessman Tim Michels for governor. Joan Beglinger is running as an independent.
In the race for state attorney general, Fond du Lac County district attorney Eric Toney faces incumbent Democrat Josh Kaul.
Democrat Sarah Rodriguez is up against Republican Roger Roth for lieutenant governor.
State Secretary of State Doug LaFollette, a Democratic, faces Republican Amy Loudenbeck, Libertarian Neil Harmon and Green Party member Sharyl McFarland.
Republican John Leiber, Democrat Aaron Richardson and Constitution Party member Andrew Zuelke are on the ballot to be the next state treasurer.
Democrat Kelly Westlund, of Ashland, and Republican Romaine Quinn, of Cameron, are running for the state senate’s District 25 seat.
Republican Chanz Green, of Ashland, and Democrat John Adams, of Washburn, are competing for the District 74 seat in the state assembly.
Locally, Iron County Sheriff Paul Samardich and Clerk of Circuit Court Karen Ransanici are both running unopposed for re-election. They are both Democrats.
The race for the new county coroner is between Democrat Robert Barnabo and Leslie Kolesar, an independent.
