Primary Election Overview: 35th Senate District

Liz Gullett

Jun 26, 2018

Through the primary election on August 7, 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 35^th Senate District is located in the upper Lower Peninsula. It includes the counties of Benzie, Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Roscommon, and Wexford. The district has a 65% Republican base.

Commentary

Senate Darwin Booher (R) is term limited from running for re-election, leaving this seat open. This Republican primary is another full one, including a current State Representative and two former legislators. Following the general election, the winner of the Republican primary race should be the next Senator for the 35^th District.

Democratic Candidate:

Mike Taillard – Serves on the Joint Planning Committee for Homestead and Inland Townships, former adjunct professor, US Army Veteran

Republican Candidates:

Ray Franz – Former State Representative, Veteran, small business owner, member of the Onekama Village Council
Bruce Rendon – Former State Representative, small business owner
Cary Urka – Farm owner
Curt VanderWall – State Representative, small business owner, former commissioner and chairman for the Mason County Board of Commissioners

Libertarian Candidate:

Timothy Coon

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