State Representative David Maturen loses to a Republican primary challenger. Democrats pick their candidates to challenge Republican incumbents in the district that includes Portage, as well as the one that encompasses most of Allegan County. State Representatives John Bizon and Kim LaSata and former Representative Aric Nesbitt won Republican primaries on Tuesday.
State Senate
State Representative John Bizon has won the Republican nomination in the district that includes Calhoun, Barry and Ionia Counties. Bizon took nearly 59-percent of the vote to defeat former Representative Mike Callton in the 19th District. Democrat Jason Noble and Libertarian Joseph Gillette will also be on the ballot in November. Current Republican Senator Mike Nofs can’t run again due to term limits.
Republican Kim LaSata defeated fellow state Representative Dave Pagel for her party’s nomination for the 21st state Senate District. LaSata will face Democrat Ian Haight in November to represent St. Joseph Cass and Berrien Counties in the state Senate. It’s currently represented by Republican John Proos who is term limited.
Former State representative Aric Nesbitt has won the Republican nomination to replace Tonya Schuitmaker in the state Senate. Nesbitt captured nearly 52-percent of the vote to top former Representative Bob Genetski and businessman Don Wickstra. Democrat Garnet Lewis and Libertarian Erwin Haas are on the November ballot in the state Senate district that includes all of Van Buren and Allegan Counties, as well as part of Kent County.
State House
Democrat Alberta Griffin will challenge Republican state Representative Brandt Iden in November. The Western Michigan University faculty member and business owner won nearly 58-percent of the vote in the 61st district Democratic primary, The district includes most of the city of Portage as well as Oshtemo, Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft and Texas Townships.
State Representative David Maturen will not get a third term representing parts of Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties in the Michigan House. Matt Hall defeated Maturen in the Republican primary with more than 57-percent of the vote. Democrat Jennifer Aniano and Libertarian Ronald Hawkins are also running for the 63rd state House District seat.
Mark Ludwig will be the Democratic nominee in the 80th state House District. He cruised to a victory over Erik Almquist in the district that includes most of Allegan County. Ludwig, who has served on the Fennville School Board and Clyde Township Planning Commission, will challenge Republican Representative Mary Whiteford in November.
