LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Democrat Dana LaLonde has withdrawn from the race for Michigan’s 109th House District, ending her bid to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Karl Bohnak and leaving Anna Aho Rink as the sole Democratic candidate in the race.
LaLonde announced her decision in a Facebook post on Jan. 31, saying she would step away from the campaign after what she described as an “extensive consideration” process.
“After extensive consideration, I have decided to step away from the race,” LaLonde wrote. “Thank you to everyone who supported this effort and continues to support our community. I’m staying focused on serving Marquette County and the U.P.”
LaLonde, a Marquette County commissioner, said she plans to remain in her current role and continue serving her constituents. In the post, she cited a lack of support from party structures as a key factor in her decision, arguing that without that backing, building a viable grassroots campaign was not realistic.
She also criticized what she described as a broader political culture driven by fundraising and access to power rather than community service and experience, saying those dynamics have affected political outcomes in the Upper Peninsula.
“My loyalty is to the people of the U.P., and that’s where my focus remains,” LaLonde wrote.
With LaLonde’s withdrawal, Aho Rink will now be the Democratic nominee challenging Bohnak in the November general election. Aho Rink, a Marquette native, previously worked for 17 years as a physician assistant at Planned Parenthood Marquette before the clinic closed in 2025 following funding cuts.
In campaign materials, Aho Rink has emphasized healthcare access, public education funding, affordable housing, and environmental protection, framing her candidacy as focused on putting “people over politics.”
Bohnak, a former WZMQ contributor and longtime WLUC-TV6 chief meteorologist, is seeking another term representing the 109th District, which includes Marquette County and much of the central Upper Peninsula. Since entering politics, Bohnak has emphasized local control, energy costs, and what he calls a “Peninsula over Party” approach to governing.
The 109th District has been closely watched in recent election cycles, with Democrats seeking to reclaim the seat after losing it in 2024. LaLonde referenced that loss in her post, arguing that deeper engagement with labor unions and local leaders could have altered past outcomes.
Despite ending her campaign, LaLonde encouraged residents to stay politically engaged.
“You don’t have to run for office to make a difference,” she wrote. “Decisions get made by the people who show up.”
The general election is scheduled for November 3rd.
