KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Just as the so-called “Blue Wave” gave democrat and former Vice President Joe Biden the support he needed to win Michigan after trailing in the early vote count, it also flipped several races in Kalamazoo County.
Absentee ballots generated a late surge of support for democratic nominees when those votes were finally tallied. In fact, the city of Kalamazoo’s 21,000 absentee ballots were not added to the county’s unofficial election count until late Wednesday night.
Christine Morse (Photo by Jeana Gondek)
Republican and 61st State House candidate Bronwyn Haltom was first projected to win late Tuesday night, but the final count of absentee ballots from Portage pushed Democrat Christine Morse to her victory.
Kalamazoo County Treasurer and republican Mary Balkema was ahead in the count until all the absentee ballots were finally in Wednesday night. Democrat Thomas Whitener pulled ahead, defeating Balkema by about 3,400 votes.
Candidates for other county positions and the Kalamazoo Public School Board were also on pins and needles until the final results were posted.
Kalamazoo School Board President Patti Sholler Barber, who first looked like she would be turned out of office after poll results came out Tuesday night, eventually won her reelection by just 25 votes, ahead of fellow incumbent Jason Morris.
Incumbent TiAnna Harrison also won reelection on the school board and newcomer Megan Maddock will replace Morris when the new term begins.
Incumbent Ken Greschak won a separate race for a shorter term on the board.
(Photo courtesy of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners via Zoom video conferencing)
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners will see some new and familiar faces after this election.
Voters returned incumbents Tracy Hall, Mike Quinn, John Gisler, Roger Tuinier and Zac Bauer to their seats.
New commissioners include Democrats Tami Rey, Jen Strebs, Veronica McKissack and Fran Bruder Melgar.
Commissioner Jennifer Aniano has been defeated by Republican challenger Jeff Heppler, who is a former commissioner and the former Police Chief of Augusta.
And in the 9th district, former State Representative Dale Shugars beat out democrat Keshia Dickason by just 50 votes.
Also benefiting from a late surge of democratic support was a countywide millage for affordable housing that had been losing by thousands of votes until the final tally was announced Wednesday night.
Homes for All launching their campaign in Portage. (Photo courtesy of John McNeill)
In the end the “Housing For All” proposal had passed by about 3,300 votes. Funding from the millage will expand current county housing initiatives and encourage and subsidize the construction of new affordable housing units in the area.
Statewide, Senator Gary Peters took a narrow lead over Republican John James and declared victory.
Democrats also now have a 4-to-3 majority on the Michigan Supreme Court. Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack was re-elected and Grand Rapids lawyer Elizabeth Welch also won.
Results are not final until they are certified by the Board of Canvassers. More election results from Kalamazoo County can be found here.
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