Viegelahn ?strongly? considering run in ?08

?It was a good experience,? said Howard Viegelahn Wednesday morning from his office on his Section 12 Highway farm. Viegelahn lost his bid for the 106th State Rep. seat to Democrat Matt Gillard Tuesday, 23,675 to 12,827, with all 79 precincts in the district reporting. Gillard, who is a two-time incumbent, easily held on to his seat with 65 percent of the vote. He received strong support from Alpena County, winning by a three-to-one margin. Gillard received 75 percent of the votes in his home county. ?That is a big number,? said Viegelahn. The incumbent also took Presque Isle County, 3,321 to 2,930. Viegelahn was pleased to give the voters of the 106th district a choice on Tuesday and to see the Republican Party make some strides in the race. He was virtually an unknown outside of Presque Isle County going in.

He said it was an exhausting run with the biggest challenge being the management of his farming operation, while simultaneously running his campaign for the Michigan House. ?That is a big advantage the incumbent has,? said Viegelahn. He enjoyed visiting people and schools across the district, and is strongly considering a run for the seat in two years. County clerk Sue Rhode said voter turnout was 58.21 percent. Of the 11,138 registered voters, 6,483 cards were cast.

IN THE RACE for State Senator, Republican incumbent Jason Allen defeated Democratic challenger Sharon Unger, 63,485 to 43,737. That was with all 179 precincts reporting. He wins another four years in office. The vote count in Presque Isle County was: Allen 3,492, Unger 2,693. Democrat U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, who is completing his 14th year in Congress, easily fended off four challengers to win another two years in Washington. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting Wednesday morning, Gov. Granholm had locked up a second consecutive term in the Governor?s chair by defeating Republican challenger Dick DeVos. Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow rode a nationwide wave of anti-Republican sentiment straight into a second six-year term, sweeping past GOP challenger Mike Bouchard.

REPUBLICAN TERRI LYNN LAND was headed for re-election as Secretary of State, while incumbent attorney general Mike Cox looked to have the office wrap

ped up for another four years. The establishment of the conservation fund passed; a proposal to ban affirmative action was headed for approval; the mourning dove hunt was defeated; the eminent domain proposal was approved; while the school funding issue for K-16 was headed to defeat. In local races, Irene F. Seelye received 168 votes in her unopposed bid for Bearinger Township clerk. Andrea Konwinski received 133 votes and was elected Metz Township treasurer. Running unopposed for Metz Township trustee was Louis Urban with 126 votes. Running unopposed for Posen Village mayor was Marilyn Kaszubowski with 62 votes.

Three candidates were running unopposed for Posen Village trustee. They included David Krentz (48), Donald Roznowski (57), and Ronald Stoinski (54). Bruce J. Zann (456) and Gordon Snow (437) were the top voters in two county precincts for Alpena School Board.

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