With the Nov. 5 General Election on the horizon, here’s a look at some basic voter and candidate information for Osceola County and Village commissioner, safety, and information representative races: 

 

VOTER INFO:

Election Date: November 5, 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:

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'."

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

• 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)

1st 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."

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

• Mark Gregory, REP, LeRoy (INCUMBENT)

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

• David Turner, REP, Marion (INCUMBENT)

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

• Timothy Mitchell, REP, Marion (INCUMBENT)

5th 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."

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

• Scott Steig, REP, Hersey (INCUMBENT)

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

• 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."

Village of Hersey

President (2 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Karen Huisman, NP, Hersey

Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Sarah Sharp, NP, Hersey

Village of LeRoy

President (2 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Adam Johnson, NP, LeRoy

Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Krik Edstrom, NP, LeRoy
• Diane Vandercook, NP, LeRoy

Village of Marion

President (2 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• No candidates listed.

Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Dave Swiler, NP, Marion
• Tony Maddox, NP, Marion
• Trent Mitchell, NP, Marion

Village of Tustin

President (2 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Ryan Erickson, NP, Tustin

Treasurer (2 Year Term) – One Seat Available

• Kayla Erickson, NP, Tustin

Trustee (4 Year Term) – Two Seats Available

• Lou Ann Anderson, NP, Tustin