Through the primary election on August 2, on every Tuesday and Thursday on the MLC Blog we will be highlighting races for which the primary is the key race due to the voter base.  Candidate’s website and professional information is listed when available.

District Overview

The 102^nd House District includes Mecosta and Wexford Counties and a portion of Osceola County, including; Burdell Township, Cedar Township, Hartwick Township, Le Roy Township, Lincoln Township, Reed City, Richmond Township, and Rose Lake Township.

Commentary

State Representative Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac) is serving his third and final term in the House, leaving the seat open.  With a 59% Republican base, the Republican primary winner should be easily elected in November.  The Republican primary has several strong candidates running, as such this seat is seen as one of the more competitive races to watch in the primary season.  Several candidates have served in local government, providing name recognition.  In 2010, Republican candidate Morris Langworthy lost the Republican primary to Representative Potvin by less than 350 votes.

Democratic Candidates:

• Douglas Gabert – Retired state employee.

Republican Candidates:

• Jason Briscoe –Marine Veteran, garage door installer.
• Michele Hoitenga – Mayor of Manton, small business ownwer.
• Ormand Hook – School psychologist, Air Force Veteran, former principal and school board member, member of the Board of Scholars at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
  • Endorsements – Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, Small Business Association of Michigan.
• Morris Langworthy, Jr. – Chair of the Osceola County Parks Commission, school board member, vice-chair of the West Michigan Regional Planning Commission, Navy Veteran.
  • Endorsements – Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac, County Road Association of Michigan, Right to Life of Michigan.

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