Voters in Grand Traverse county will have the unprecedented opportunity to cast ballots for Democrats as a record number of Democrats filed to run for local office. In addition to 6 running for the Grand Traverse County Commission, Democratic candidates filed in more than 10 other local races.
In 2018, two Democrats won seats on the County Commission, and their continued push against the Republican majority for transparent, locally-focused governance has inspired a new crop of Democratic candidates to step up and serve their community. With the two Democratic incumbents, a close race for the state house seat in 2018, and an increasingly strong Democratic presence in the community, the Grand Traverse Democratic Party worked to connect with local Democratic leaders.
“We have made it our highest priority to make sure Grand Traverse voters have a choice in November 2020,” said Grand Traverse Democratic Party Chair Chris Cracchiolo. “The Democrats running for local office have a range of backgrounds but share a common message: the needs of our community come first, and people deserve true representation at all levels of government.”
Democratic incumbents for County Districts 1 and 2, Betsy Coffia and Bryce Hundley, respectively, are running for re-election. They both noted a desire to continue being a voice for open communication and sound policy on the Board of Commissioners.
“Should the voters choose to give me a second term, my focus will continue to be building a foundation of strong transparency and ethics practices into county government and fostering a culture of respect and responsiveness to constituents,” Coffia said. Hundley, who is running unopposed by a Republican, said he is running “to bring thoughtful cooperation, decency, and integrity to the forefront in our county government, and to let our county’s professional staff do their jobs, support them with financial experience and sound judgement.”
Melissa Hogan, who is running in County District 3 against Brad Jewett (R), said,”Now, more than ever, people need to look for– and become– the helpers in this community. Despite life’s challenges, I believe the world is a better place when we are of service to causes bigger than ourselves.”
In County District 4, Brace Kern is running for the seat formerly held by Sonny Wheelock, who is not seeking re-election. Kern is a local attorney who has served as President of the Grand Traverse Leelanau Antrim Bar Association and as a volunteer mediator and Board member for Conflict Resolution Services. Kern has also worked for elected and appointed officials on both sides of the aisle and across the political spectrum.
Jade Prange is running against Ron Clous (R) for County District 5. Prange currently serves on the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, and is a local leader in the Sunrise Movement, a national, youth-led organization that advocates for political action on Climate Change. Prange, who grew up in the area, is a student at Northern Michigan College. “Our current leadership is not being held to a high enough standard in terms of ethics and transparency,” she noted. “I want to raise these standards, and bring the voice of the next generation to the table where decisions are being made; especially when it comes to addressing the climate crisis.”
County District 6 is being challenged by Bruce Moore. Moore retired from a career in engineering and is an active member of Grace Episcopal Church and the Traverse Area Paddlers. “I’m running to advocate for middle-class housing in Grand Traverse County. We’ve had a housing availability and affordability problem for a long time,” said Moore. “The pandemic is exacerbating this housing crisis, and other local issues.”
The following Democrats are also running for local office in Grand Traverse County: in East Bay Township, Gabrielle Bohrer and Brian Fenlon are running for Trustee; in Garfield Township, Jill Bentgen, John Nelson, Eric Ranieri, and Nicholas Roster are running for Township Trustee; in Grant Township, Lisa Willett is running for Treasurer; in Long Lake, Joel Casler, Marvine Cook Stamatakis, Pamela Harris Keiser, and Peter Zirnhelt are running for Trustee; in Union Township, Sheryl Tillitson is running for Clerk, and Kellie Fuelling is running for Trustee; Greg Hall is running for Sheriff.
