The state Senate Race in Kalamazoo County was one of the closest in the state.
An analysis by the Gongwer News Service shows that former state Representative Lorence Wenke's Libertarian campaign may have tipped the scales for Republican Margaret O'Brien.
Gongwer compared thevotes in the state Senate race with the three state House districts that make up the district. The news service's reporters found that Democratic state House candidates outperformed state Senate candidate Sean McCann in the 60th, 61st and 63rd districts by a greater margin than Republican candidates outpaced O'Brien. That indicates more voters who cast ballot for Democratic state House candidates also voted for Wenke in the state Senate race.
Democrat Jon Hoadley won the 60th District which includes the city of Kalamazoo. Republican Brandt Iden won the 61st District, which includes Portage. And Republican Dave Maturen won the 63rd which stretches across Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties.
Kalamazoo County Canvassers found that O'Brien won the 20th District state Senate race by 59 votes. Results must still be certified by the state. McCann's campaign has said he is considering requesting a recount.
