While most people watched the big presidential primary races in Michigan, Grand Rapids voters, and voters in Allegan and Lapeer counties ,filled empty seats in the Michigan House of Representatives.
In Grand Rapids, a vacancy in the 75th District was left when Brandon Dillon resigned last summer to become the Democratic Party chairman in Michigan.
In that district, Democrat David LaGrand beat out Republican Blake Edmonds. LaGrand is a business owner, a lawyer, and Grand Rapids school board member.
And in Allegan and Lapeer counties, state House seats were left vacant after Republican tea party representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat were forced out of office after their failed attempt to cover up an extramarital affair.
In the state’s 80th District, the seat formerly held by Cindy Gamrat, the Republican candidate Mary Whiteford beat out Democratic candidate David Gernant. Whiteford is a small business owner and pediatric nurse.
In the state’s 82nd District, the seat once held by Todd Courser, Republican Gary Howell beat Democratic challenger Margaret Guerrero DeLuca. Howell is a farmer and chair of the Lapeer County Road Commission.
