Incumbent Ted Hammon Defeated in District 50: First term State Representative Ted Hammon (D-Burton) was defeated in the Democratic primary in House District 50 by challenger Jim Slezak of Davison. Mr. Slezak won 54% of the vote to 46% for the current occupant of the seat. House District 50 is considered a safe Democratic seat, and thus it is all but certain that Mr. Slezak will be the next State Representative from this Genesee County seat.

Cheeks-Kilpatrick Weathers Primary Challenge: U.S. Representative Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, won through in a hotly contested three person Democratic Primary in the 13th Congressional District. The Congresswoman won 39% of the vote to 36% for former House Minority Floor Leader Mary Waters and 25% for State Senator Martha Scott. The 13th Congressional is a safe Democratic seat, meaning that Rep. Cheeks-Kilpatrick will likely return to Washington for another 2 year term.

Zoo Millage Passes: Voters in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties approved by wide margins a .1 mil property tax increase to fund operations of the Detroit Zoo. Representing an additional $10 in taxes paid by an owner of a $200,000 home, the tax will raise approximately $15m of the Zoo’s $26m yearly budget to maintain zoo operations at the facility in Royal Oak.

Pro-Casino Candidate Wins in Conservative 88th: Bob Genetski, a supporter of the proposed Gun Lake Casino, won a hotly contested Republican primary in the heavily conservative 88th House District representing Allegan County. His closest competitor in the 8 person Republican primary was Todd Boorsma, a long time Gun Lake Casino opponent.

Several Political ‘Names’ Defeated in House Races:

In the 82nd District, Benjamin Stahl, son of Rep. John Stahl, finished fourth in the Republican primary, which was won by Arcadia Township Supervisor Kevin Daley.

In the 6th District, Ajene Evans, son of Rep. Marsha Cheeks, finished third in the Democratic primary, which was won by former Rep. Fred Durhal.

In the 72nd District, Linda Steil, wife of Rep. Glenn Steil, Jr., finished third in the Republican primary, which was won by Justin Amash.

In the 12th District, fomer Rep. Belda Garza finished third in the Democratic primary, which was won by Rashida Tlaib, a former staffer for the Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman.

In the 58th District, former Rep. Steve Vear finished third in the Republican primary, which was won by Kenneth Kurtz.

Each of these primaries was in a safe district, and hence the winner can be expected to arrive in Lansing next year to begin serving a two year term.