Held in the Marquette Township Hall on July 8, candidates answered questions from consituents in their respective districts via the League of Women Voters. In total, 3 positions will be on the primary election ballot in August. County Commissioner for both District 1 and 3 in Marquette County, and the seat for the 96th District Court Judge.
Karl Numinen is seeking reelection in the first district, and former Mayor of Marquette Cody Mayer will be on the ballot also running for the District 1 seat.
In District 3, Fred Benzie, Randy Ritari, and Jenna Smith are all campaigning for the seat. Benzie is the incumbent for the district, and was voted in this March due to Stephen Adamini vacating the position. Ritari serves as the current clerk of Marquette Township, and has done so for the past 16 years. Smith also previously served as the Marquette mayor, and was on the Marquette City Commission.
“It’s incredible that we see this real-life grassroots participation in our local politics,” said Marquette County Comissioner Karl Numinen. “I thought the forum went exceptionally well, and I think what we saw was five candidates all seriously invested in seeking a position on the County Board, because they really, really are invested in our community.”
The primary election will take place on August 4, with early voting beginning on July 25.
