(Sanilac County) – 64% of the registered voters in Sanilac County went to the polls Tuesday and re-elected Sheriff Garry Biniecki and Road Commissioner Ron Gerstenberger by a wide margin. Gerstenberger was re-elected by a 3 to 1 margin over Rick Kappel. Biniecki was re-elected to his third term with 15,896 votes compared to 1,971 for challenger James Wagester. Republican Shane Hernandez is the new 83rd District Representative for Sanilac County and a portion of St. Clair County as he defeated Democrat Jim Frank. Hernandez had 23,000 votes while Frank received just over 12,000 votes. Area voters also showed strong support for President-elect Donald Trump and new Congressman Paul Mitchell. Each candidate was the choice of just under 75% of Sanilac County’s voters. Incumbent 1st District commissioner Dan Dean received 85% of the votes as he defeated challenger Allen Mach. Retiring State Representative Paul Muxlow was the winner in the race for 5th district commissioner with a 2 to 1 victory over Democrat Richard Partlo.
Voters were in a generous mood Tuesday as all of the millage proposals on the ballot in Sanilac County were passed. An operating millage proposal at Deckerville schools was approved by over 400 votes. Renewals for fire protection and roads in Greenleaf Township were passed by margins of two to one. However, a millage increase for additional funds for roads in Greenleaf township was approved by one vote -169 to 168. Worth Township voters also said “yes” to a road millage proposal by a margin of 60 votes. In Marion Township Deborah Williamson was elected clerk over Teresa Stringer by an over 3-1 margin. Audrey Stoliker defeated challenger Karin Russel in the race for treasurer and Jon Block narrowly defeated Angie Wagester for Trustee.
There were also a number of Village and City Council races Tuesday. In the Village of Lexington, long-time president Elva Mills was defeated by Kristen Kaatz. In Brown City, Julie Miller is the new mayor with 75 more votes than Gene Navock. Patricia Jacobson, Gerald Kosal, Christine Lee, Ross McIvor, Sr., Alecia Parks, and Bill Walters were elected to the Brown City Council. In Sandusky, council members Virginia Bissett, Sandy Barr, and Norton Schramm were returned to office as they defeated Chris Schuster. Dr John Geiger was re-elected to the Croswell council, along with Jeremy McClellan who was victorious over incumbent Mary Willis.
A number of board of education seats were filled in Tuesday’s general election. In the Cros-Lex School district there were 11 residents vying for 3 board seats. The winners are Dennis Gardner, Michael Noll, and Aime Stilson. In the Marlette school district imcumbents Nik Woods, and Gina Kraft were returned to office along with newcomer Jaime Macumber. At Deckerville, Spencer Osborne and write-in candidate John Block were elected to two six-year board seats.
