With local elections on the horizon, here’s a look at some basic voter and candidate information for major elections within Mecosta County, including commissioner, safety, and information representatives: 

 

*CANDIDATE INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED ONCE RECEIVED FROM CANDIDATE*

 

 

VOTER INFO:

Election Date: August 6, 2024

Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Voting Place: Organized by Township (see your township guide in ‘Local Election Hub’)

More Information: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/Index

 

CANDIDATE INFO:

United States Senator (6 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Justin Amash, REP, Grand Rapids
  • https://www.justinamash.com/about
• Nasser Beydoun, DEM, Dearborn
  • https://www.nasserformi.com/about-nasser
• Hill Harper, DEM, Detroit
  • https://hillharper.com/about/
• Peter Meijer, REP, Grand Rapids
  • https://www.votemeijer.com/
• Sherry O’Donnell, REP, Stevensville
  • https://www.docsherry2024.com/meet-dr-sherry-odonnell
• Sandy Pensler, REP, Gross Point Park (WITHDREW)
• Mike Rogers, REP, St. Joseph
  • https://www.rogersforsenate.com/meet-mike
• Elissa Slotkin, DEM, Holly
  • https://elissaslotkin.org/meet-elissa-slotkin/

2^nd District Congress Representative (2 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Michael Lynch, DEM, Alma
  • https://electmichaellynch.com/#about-michael-lynch
• John Moolenaar, REP, Midland (INCUMBENT)
  • https://moolenaar.house.gov/about/full-biography

100^th District State Legislature Representative (2/3 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Tom Kunse, REP, Clare (2) (INCUMBENT)
  • https://votekunse.com/about/
• Jamie McClendon, DEM, Big Rapids (2)
  • https://jamiemcclendon.com/meet-jamie
• Tracy Ruell, DEM, Big Rapids (3)
  • https://www.ruellforrep.com/about

Osceola County Prosecuting Attorney (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Anthony Badovinac, REP, Marion (INCUMBENT)?
  • Experience: Prosecutor (12 years), Lawyer (35 years)
  • Inspiration: To help address the increasing rate of drug, neglect and property damage crimes 
  • Focus: To serve justice to those who blatantly break the law, show no respect for others or their property rights

  • Quote: "As an electorate, we have lost sight of "common sense" so much that "common sense is now uncommon." 

Osceola County Sheriff (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Mark Cool, REP, LeRoy (INCUMBENT)

Osceola County Clerk (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Tracey Cochran, REP, Hersey (INCUMBENT)?
  • Experience: County Clerk and Township Clerk (total of 13 years)
  • Inspiration: Dedication and passion for building a stronger community
  • Focus: Streamline record processing, more paperless resources, and easier access methods for residents to get information
  • Quote: "I will continue to operate the most efficient staff and systems possible so that residents receive a simplified, fast and all-around enhanced experience, because 'Cochran Cares'."
• Jennifer Edstrom, REP, LeRoy
  • Experience: Work in public safety industry (28 years), fundrasing for Osceola County (3 years)
  • Inspiration: Desire for change regarding ingoing and outgoing officials
  • Focus: Strengthen relationships with county governement and residents
  • Quote: "I am a lifelong resident of Osceola County and we have a small hobby farm located in Leroy. Osceola County is our home and I would love to continue to service the people of Osceola County as the clerk."

Osceola County Treasurer (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Tonia Hartline, REP, Tustin (INCUMBENT)

Osceola County Register of Deeds (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Heather Gray, REP, Hersey (INCUMBENT)

Osceola County Road Commissioner (Six Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Amy Bontekoe, REP, Marion
• Mindy Faulman, REP, Marion
• Doug Kanouse, REP, LeRoy
• Gary Wemple, REP, Tustin (INCUMBENT)

Osceola County Drain Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• David Beiden, REP, Reed City (INCUMBENT)
• Doug Bontekoe, REP, Marion
• Edward Williams, REP, Marion

1^st District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Gregory Gydesen, REP, Reed City (INCUMBENT)
  • Experience: County Commissioner (1.5 years), Lincoln Township Firefighter (33 years)
  • Inspiration: Serve the community
  • Focus: Budget management
  • Quote: "(I want to) help to establish and maintain a balanced budget in order to provide the services the community deserves."

2^nd District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Mark Gregory, REP, LeRoy (INCUMBENT)

3^rd District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Andrew Faulman, REP, Marion
• David Turner, REP, Marion (INCUMBENT)

4^th District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Timothy Mitchell, REP, Marion (INCUMBENT)

5^th District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• James Custer, REP, Evart (INCUMBENT)?
  • Experience: City Commissioner (6 years), General contracting (55 years)
  • Inspiration: Wanted to be more involved in decision making
  • Focus: To be available to the citizens and make common sense decisions
  • Quote: "I've also been Chair of Parks since 2020, on Planning since 2018, with Health Safety and Grounds since 2020, as Finance Vice Chair since 2018, on the West Michigan Planning since 2022, and Emergency Housing since 2018."
• Roger Elkins, REP, Evart (OUT OF RACE)

6^th District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Scott Steig, REP, Hersey (INCUMBENT)

7^th District County Commissioner (Four Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Jeremy Andres, REP, Reed City (WITHDREW)
• Sally Momany, REP, Reed City (INCUMBENT)
  • Experience: District 7 County Commissioner (3.5 years), Teacher (28+ Medicolegal Death Investigator and Child Death Review Board member (7 years)
  • Inspiration: Financial Board success, saving the county money
  • Focus: Continue budget transparency, long-term county sucess
  • Quote: "Whether it has been as a child or parent advocate in the school, a patient that I have taken care of or a family who has lost their loved one, I’ve been there. I’ve always tried to do my best and give 100% in each situation. Our board of commissioners has done amazing things the last four years and I would like to continue to serve the people of Osceola County into the future."
• Russ Nehmer, REP, Reed City
  • Experience: U.S. Army Veteran (23 years), Reed City Planning OCmission (3 years), Reed City Council member
  • Inspiration: Family and friends' advocacy, desire for transparency 
  • Focus: Being fair regardless of party lines, budget and fiscal responsibility
  • Quote: "Although I am not a career politician, I will do my best to find out the answers and keep my constituents informed. We have several issues facing our County, but they all are problems that can be resolved. Budgetary and fiscal responsibility is a huge issue with me after seeing big government waste in the military. The taxpayer dollar is valuable especially in a small community like ours. My priorities would be to seek out problems, right wrongs and balance agendas and serve the wonderful people of this District 7 (Reed City & Richmond Township)and of Osceola County.?"
• David Scharlow, REP, Reed City
  • Experience: Reed City Council (18 years), Reed City Area Public Schools (long time)
  • Inspiration: Asked by friends and community members
  • Focus: Help the county using long-time knowledge of the community
  • Quote: "I grew up in Reed City and have lived here my whole life. I have had a couple businesses here and owned a downtown deli and ice cream shop. I believe I can help and make a difference. Vote August 6 for David Scharlow for District 7 Osceola County Commissioner."

The primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Be sure to follow Big Rapids Daily News on Facebook, Instagram, and X for results and updates.