Posted on 05/27/2002 11:24:40 AM PDT by Dan from Michigan
7 Ingham board seats unopposed
Democrats likely to retain control of commission
By Hugh Leach
Lansing State Journal
Republicans, who haven't controlled the Ingham County Board of Commissioners since 1972, aren't contesting seven seats in the Nov. 5 election.
That gives Democrats a better chance of retaining control of the board, which will expand from 13 to 16 seats because of redistricting. The Democrats hope to push through pet issues such as a living wage requirement for companies working for the county.
Historically, Republicans have fielded candidates in most, if not all, districts.
"It took me by surprise," said County Clerk Mike Bryanton, a former Democratic county commissioner.
"Certainly I might have expected one or two seats that would not be contested, but seven uncontested Democratic seats is beyond the imagination."
Incumbent Randy Schafer, a Williamston Republican running unopposed, said he thinks the lack of Republican candidates is a sign of party disorganization.
"We are way overmatched from money, organizational and resource viewpoints," he said. "A typical Democratic candidate running for commissioner gets more money for his or her campaign than all the Republican commissioner candidates combined."
Art Good, GOP county chair, said the lack of candidates reflects a change in party philosophy.
"We felt it wasn't really essential to fill the ballot with candidates for seats that probably are not winnable," Good said.
"Our efforts need to go where we think we can win."
He said Republicans want to ensure a strong representation on the commission so they have an effective voice in fighting against such measures as a county smoking ban and the living wage proposal. A living wage would require companies with contracts for more than $50,000 with the county to pay their workers at least several dollars more than the federal $5.15-an-hour minimum wage.
Commissioners meet twice a month to make county policy. They serve two-year terms and make $9,700 a year, with board leaders and committee chairs making more.
Currently, three of the 13 commissioners are Republicans. Good said he thinks Republicans can win between five and eight total seats this year.
Schafer, running unopposed for the third time in 10 elections, said he has received a total of $75 from the Republican Party to support his campaigns.
"With that lack of support, it's hard to recruit good candidates," he said.
Bryanton said the Ingham County Democratic Party's contribution to candidates depends on how competitive the race is.
In most cases, he said, the party does not contribute more than $200 to a candidate.
Good suggested some Republicans may run as write-ins in the August primary in currently uncontested districts with the intent of winning enough votes to be listed on the November ballot.
Tom Klunzinger, former county Republican chairman, said he was not asked to recruit Republican candidates as he has been in the past.
He said it's a mistake not to have candidates for each seat.
Paul Pratt, the Democrats' county chair, agreed.
"It's a matter of putting a complete slate out for people to vote for," he said.
"The party is saying, 'If you're interested, we have someone from our viewpoint available'."
Mark Grebner, an East Lansing Democrat and the longest-serving Ingham commissioner, is running unopposed for the first time. He admits it's a strange feeling.
"The good news is it relieves me of the irritation and the nagging feeling someone out there may be gaining on me," he said.
"The bad news is I have all these campaign ideas in my head and no campaign."
Ingham commissioner candidates
Races with two or more candidates from the same party will have a primary election on Aug. 6. The top vote-getters from each party will face off in the Nov. 5 general election.
District 1: Victor Celentino (D-inc.), Charles Fleck (R)
District 2: Debbie DeLeon (D-inc.), unopposed
District 3: Tina Weatherwax Grant (D), Dennis Louney (D), Michael Gillenkirk (R)
District 4: Chris Swope (D-inc.), unopposed
District 5: Andy Schor (D), Jim Kirsch (D)
District 6: Calvin Lynch (D-inc.), unopposed
District 7: Lisa Dedden (D-inc.), unopposed
District 8: Marc Thomas (D), John Klumpp (R).
District 9: Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-inc.), unopposed
District 10: Mark Grebner (D-inc.), unopposed
District 11: Dianne Holman (D), Ross Yednock (D), Robert Fulk (R), Andy Such (R)
District 12: Gwyn Atkinson (D), Thomas Minter (R-inc.)
District 13: Randy Schafer (R-inc.), unopposed
District 14: Howard Brighton (D), Liz Kranz (D), Fred Featherly (R), John Nevin (R).
District 15: Jerry Ketchum (D), Mike Severino (R-inc.)
District 16: Mary Stid (D-inc.), Dan Schlattman (R).
D=Democrat; R=Republican; Inc.=incumbent
This is where it starts. This is the farm club. Our next state rep usually comes from either the county commish, township supervisors, or city councils and mayors.
This is just sad.
I'll say one thing though. If I was the LP or another party, I'd dump most of my eggs in baskets like this since there is no way in hell a GOP'er would vote for a jerk like Grebner.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.