LANSING, MI (WHTC) – With Governor Snyder tied up on a foreign business “mission,” it was left up to Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley to announced election dates to fill the state House seat vacated by the overnight expulsion of Cindy Gamrat from Plainwell and the resignation of Todd Courser of Lapeer.
Those wishing to run for those seats have until next Friday, September 18th, to file paperwork with the Secretary of State’s office to be on the November 3rd Primary Ballot. The special general election will be next March 8th. Mary Whiteford of South Haven, who lost to Gamrat in last August’s GOP Primary, has already announced plans to run for the seat for the fall of 2016.
Although Gamrat is no longer a state lawmaker, Allegan County residents will still have some presence in the House. Gamrat’s staff will remain in Lansing to serve constituent needs, under the direction of the House general office, after the freshman Republican from Plainwell was expelled overnight. In addition, Representative Ken Yonker, whose district includes the Wayland area, said he would represent the rest of the county in House matters until Gamrat’s replacement is elected.
