Tuesday is an important day for voters who didn’t vote early or by absentee ballot. The polls will be opened from 7 a.m to 8 p.m, and several significant millages and races are underway. The striking theme is that for most elections, there’s scant opposition from Democratic candidates. Clearly demonstrating that the county heavily leans towards the Republicans, affectionately known as Trump Country.
The locals are particularly curious if the leaning towards Trump will result in a surge of votes for those who are pro-America First. This group has demonstrated faithful backing for candidates in races including the sheriff, three county commission seats and a state representative. The successes here may indeed echo the sentiments of the county’s dominant support for Trump’s vision of America.
Adam Stockford, a 43-year-old family man and the former Mayor of Hillsdale, is looking to make his mark on the 35th District House seat. A grad of Hillsdale College, Stockford is backed by the America First group. With an eloquent stance against wasteful spending and poor policy, Stockford has positioned himself as a bulwark against reckless governance from Lansing.
Jennifer Wortz, a 44-year-old mother, grandmother, and conservationist, stands defiantly for the rights of her conservative district. As the lead of Moms for Liberty, she opposes excessive COVID-19 restrictions and has vowed to hold steadfast to constitutional rights. She, like all other candidates, received an endorsement from Michigan Right to Life, confirming their shared values on life and family.
The sheriff’s race also promises to be hard-fought. Michael Thyng, a six-decade millennial after a seven-year military career, has gained the America First endorsement with his unwavering support of the Second Amendment. He has dedicated himself to enforce the Constitution, resisting liberal tendencies to dilute or overlook its importance.
Another contending veteran in the sheriff’s race, Robin Swartz, with 15 years on road patrol, wants to invest more in training deputies. Notably, Fred Blankenship, with over two decades in the sheriff’s department and as the current jail administrator, draws attention to his administrative and budgetary experience. Even though he is not a certified police officer, he is fully capable of performing all duties.
County Commission District 1 sees a showdown between incumbent Randall Hazelbaker and America First challenger Jessica Green. Ironically, Green, a mother of four, criticizes Hazelbaker for overcommitting by also serving on the Coldwater City Council. It almost echoes the classic Democratic strategy – stretch oneself too thin to give everything the attention it needs.
In District 2, we witness another clash where incumbent Jon Houtz tussles with America First’s John Towers. Towers, a chiropractor who moved to the area a couple of years ago, aims to amplify the voices of locals. In District 5, incumbent Alan McClelland faces David Mansfield whose agenda is to support small businesses and farming against giant corporate bodies and special interests.
Richard Swanson, who has supported the ‘Constitutional County’ resolution over the last two years, is running in District 4. He stands firm against an array of laws that, in his opinion, subvert the Constitution. He squares against ‘Rick’ Hollister, a retired agri-businessman who grew up just north of Bronson.
In the Ovid Township, a showdown between retired engineer Max William Benjamin and retired farmer Ben Losinski is underway for the vacant supervisor role. Convention dictates that the board wouldn’t appoint a temporary replacement, instead, the winner will be sworn in immediately. Interestingly, Benjamin is favored by the outgoing O’Dell, suspiciously mirroring traditional Democrat’s habit of maintaining hold over power.
Algansee Township sees a triad vying for the treasurer position, with Onalee Connin and Sharon Atkinson pitted against each other in the Republican primary. But as the pattern seems to show, a Democrat waits in the wings for the final run, just like Kelli Kaufman.
While the tale of millages tells of a fight for financial resources, the essence brings to fore the stark realities of governance contrasted against democratic inefficiencies. From educational institutions like Quincy Community Schools to municipal bodies like Union Township, most are in pursuit of renewing their operating millages in order to keep their services running.
These millages highlight a range of community essentials such as aging care, transport for elderly and disabled, school operation, fire protection, and even cemetery maintenance. Each with their own significance, are testament to the effort Republicans are making to ensure resources are dedicated to those who need it most, unlike their Democratic counterparts who remain largely absent.
Trump’s Vision Fuels Republicans in Key County Races appeared first on Real News Now.
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