There are crowded Republican primaries in Michigan’s 78th and 79th house districts.
The current house members in the 78th and 79th districts, Kim LaSata and Dave Pagel, are running for state senate in the 21 district. Both are Republicans. Ian Haight is the lone Democrat on the ticket.
With no incumbent in either district it leaves the primary wide open.
On the ticket in the 79th are Republicans JoAnn DeMeulenaere, Bruce Gorenflo , Maria Moen, Troy Rolling, and Pauline Wendzel. Two Democrats, Joey Andrews and Mareletta Seats.
In the 78th district Republicans Steve Bury, Dana Daniels, Daniel Hinkle, David Mann, Kelly Priede and Brad Paquette are all vying for the nomination. Democrat Dean Hill is running unopposed.
Berrien County clerk Sharon Tyler said she hopes the crowded primary won’t create animosity among the candidates and voters.
“There’s a lot of passion in the August 7th election and everybody’s excited and I hope everybody will remain friends as they began in this election.”
Tyler said voters should take the time to educate themselves on the candidates by reading their websites, or by calling their campaigns.
She said she expects the races to be close, and the voter turnout to be higher than in normal midterm primaries.