St. Clair County’s ballot continues to grow and shrink with new developments from two key races for the county this November— that of Michigan’s 64th district, which recently lost a candidate, and of the county’s District Two, which gained a candidate.
Kenneth Cummings, best known as the president and CEO of local ambulance service Tri-Hospital EMS, announced via social media yesterday of his intent to run for the District Two seat being left vacant by current commissioner Jorja Baldwin. Baldwin, who originally planned to run for re-election for that seat, instead decided earlier this year to throw her hat into the Michigan State House of Representatives race after incumbent Rep. Andrew Beeler announced he would not be seeking re-election at this time. Cummings says his experience as CEO of Tri-Hospital EMS provides him with various insights and skills that would serve the community well if he was elected to the position.
The news comes almost a week after another candidate, China Township native Jordan Epperson, announced his withdrawal from the state district race via a post on his campaign’s Facebook page, citing a desire to “not split the MAGA vote, [so] that we get the best and most conservative candidate that we can into office.”
Epperson, who has not shared who he will be instead supporting for the district seat, courted controversy when he was hired last summer as Ottawa County administrator John Gibbs’ executive assistant. Gibbs served as Ottawa County’s administrator until being fired earlier last month.
With Epperson’s departure, five candidates remain in the race still, including former state representative Gary R. Eisen, who was defeated by Beeler in the 2022 primary for the district. Michigan’s 64th district includes Sanilac County’s Worth Township and covers a sizable portion of St. Clair County, including Port Huron and at least six other townships.
