Posted on 04/27/2003 3:43:42 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
Mortimer to be GOP state House candidate
By David Frownfelder -- Daily Telegram Staff Writer CAMBRIDGE TWP. -- Residents in the 65th State House District have one more month before their state representative is determined.
In Tuesday's special Republican primary election, former state Rep. Mickey Mortimer of Horton, who held the seat for two terms, was chosen to take on Democrat Kent Kratz of Grass Lake and Green Party candidate Richard Wunsch of Brooklyn in a special election May 20.
The seat has been vacant since the Jan. 28 death of Jerry Kratz, who was Kent Kratz's father.
Mortimer out-polled Jackson County Commissioner David K. Elwell, Columbia Township trustee Ray T. Kuzminski and Grass Lake businessman Bob Sutherby to win Tuesday's primary. By late evening, Mortimer had picked up almost 51 percent of the vote to Elwell's 38 percent.
"I think this shows that in these times of uncertainty with the state budget and all, the voters appreciate that I can bring experience to the job," Mortimer said.
Throughout the district, Mortimer pushed past three other candidates, receiving 58 percent of his party's vote. His nearest challenger, County Commissioner David Elwell of Jackson, drew 30.8 percent.
Only 3.85 percent of the registered voters turned out in Cambridge Township. Mortimer received 78 votes, Elwell 51, Kuzminski 6 and Sutherby 3.
Turnout for the primary was low, with only 5.7 percent of about 57,000 eligible voters in Lenawee, Jackson and Eaton counties casting ballots.
Mortimer said the campaign will continue for another month. "This is non-stop," he said. "I've got a fund-raiser May 1 and another May 7. It's going to be more of the same. I spent a good deal of time in Onsted and at Loch Erin last week going door-to-door. I appreciate the comments I get at the door.
"People like it when you come to meet them instead of having a propaganda campaign."
Cambridge Township is the only Lenawee County area in the 65th District. The district also comprises several townships in Jackson County and the city of Eaton Rapids and Hamlin and Brookfield townships in Eaton County.
Kent Kratz is a DEMOCRAT. His dad was a republican who passed away that opened this election up. Kent is a public school teacher and that's all I know about him. He doesn't have a website out.
Only 5.7% turned out in the primary. That means this race is up for grabs.
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