Great Lakes Wire

Lisa Trombley, a retired government contractor for Lockheed Martin, defeated MAGA-style Republican Katie Kniss with 63.10% to 30.52% of the vote on Tuesday night in the 103rd House district Republican primary. A third candidate, Tripp Garcia, received 6.37%. Trombley's victory positions her as the preferred candidate to challenge freshman Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) in the General Election.

Trombley benefited from $200,000 in spending by the Consumers Energy-connected PAC Citizens for Energizing Michigan’s Economy and contributed $17,000 of her own money towards her campaign. By the July 26 campaign finance reporting deadline, she had reported $80,547 in funds. In contrast, Kniss reported $9,925, which funded some TV ads.

Trombley’s win was one of ten “Step One” primary races where winners will now compete in the General Election.

Republicans largely succeeded in advancing their preferred candidates to present stronger challenges to incumbent Democrats in November.

Rylee Linting, youth vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party, will face Rep. Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte) this fall in the 27th House district after defeating Cody Dill and Maria Mendoza-Boc with 71.34%, 20.48%, and 7.99% respectively.

Kevin Whiteford, former vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party, will again attempt to unseat Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) in the 38th House district after winning his primary against real estate agent George Lucas with a margin of 56% to 44%.

Calhoun County Commissioner Steve Frisbie won decisively over Alexander Harris and Just Shotts in the 44th House district Republican primary and will face Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek).

In the 48th House District, Brian Igantowski defeated Northfield Township Board member Tawn Beliger with a margin of 68% to 32%. He will now contest against Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor).

Ron Robinson emerged victorious over Roger Goodrich in the Republican primary for the 58th House district and will challenge Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights).

Charlotte pastor Andy Shaver overwhelmingly defeated restaurateur Peter Jones with an 85% to 15% margin in the primary for the 76th House district and will run against Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Lansing).

Robert Wojtowicz won the Republican primary for the 61st district with a plurality of votes—45.29%—against Russ Cleary's 39.76%, while John Grossenbacher secured 14.94%. Wojtowicz will face Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens) this fall.

On the Democratic side:

Trevis Harrold narrowly won by securing more votes than Alexander Hawkins—4,859 to Hawkins' 4,347—in the Democratic primary for the 55th House district and will compete against Rep Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills).

Attorney and film director Aisha Farooqi claimed victory over Tyler Fox with a significant margin—73% to Fox's 27%—in the Democratic nomination for the right to face Rep Tom Kuhn (R-Troy) in November's General Election.

Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter

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