Historic election gives Democrats presidency, majority in congress

General Election results

Following what seemed like one of the longest campaign seasons ever, Democrat Barack Obama will be heading to the White House. In what several have termed a “gracious” concession speech at approximately 11:30 Tuesday evening, Republican John McCain offered his support to his president and asked others to do the same.

Results provided by the Tecumseh City Clerk’s office show that Obama also won Tecumseh, with 2,571 votes for him and Vice-Presidential candidate Joseph Biden, and 2,001 votes for McCain and his running mate, Sarah Palin. Obama also won Lenawee County with 24,638 votes vs. McCain/Palin’s 22,223 votes.

Senator Carl Levin (D) retained his seat after a run by Jack Hoogendyck, Jr. failed. U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg, (R-Tipton) lost his reelection bid, however, being unseated by Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek). Walberg led in Lenawee County with 22,950 votes to Shauer’s 22,018 votes, but it was not enough to carry the 7th district.

Democrat Dudley Spade, also of Tipton, will serve another term in the State House of Representatives for the 57th district, following a run by Republican Emma L. Jenkins. In Lenawee County Spade received 29,125 votes vs. Jenkins’ 13,752 votes.

A Republican will replace vacating Democrat Larry Richardson when Jack Welsh is sworn in as Lenawee County Sheriff. Welsh received 25,902 votes while Democrat Gail Dotson, who most recently served as Undersheriff, received 19,893 votes.

Republican Donald Isley retained his seat on the Lenawee County Road Commission with 21,535 votes while Dale Schug received 15,996 votes.

Lenawee County Commissioner David Stimpson (R) ran unopposed for his seat in District 1. Ralph Tillotson (R) was able to keep his seat in District 9 of the Lenawee County Commission with 3,069 votes, staving off a run by Larry Hall (D) with 2,809 votes.

Troy Wright to rejoin Tecumseh City Council
Former Tecumseh City Council member Troy Wright will return to the city-governing panel, as will incumbent council members Jack Baker and Gary Naugle. Baker received the most votes with 2,552 votes, and becomes the city’s new Mayor Pro-Tem. Naugle was the second-highest vote-getter with 2,420 votes. Wright received 1,982 votes, while another former council member, Ron Wimple, received 1,973 votes. Mayor Harvey Schmidt ran unopposed for a fifth term of service to the city.

Baker’s top priorities for the city included keeping the millage rate at its current level or reducing it; seeking relief for homeowners whose property values are declining yet property taxes are not; and to continue to represent the city with dignity.

At the top of Naugle’s list of priorities were: continued work on the Tecumseh Business and Technology Park; continued work to bring in the Consolidated Biscuit Company; and to maintain the city’s historical status while still being able to move forward.

Wright cited the following objectives: to contribute toward attracting more jobs to the area through aggressively seeking them; to be financially responsible and to ensure that there is no wasteful spending; and to remain open-minded regarding needs but to be mindful in spending, especially when it comes to the use of taxpayer dollars.

Raisin, Tecumseh townships elect trustees, commissioners

The Charter Township of Raisin has a new trustee joining its board following Tuesday’s election. James H. Palmer, a Democrat, was the top vote-getter for the township trustee race with 2,035 votes. He will join Republican incumbents Debra L. Brousseau, 1,992 votes, Dale F. Mitchell, 1,939 votes, and Lee Mohr, 1,797 votes. Jimmy W. Colburn, a current Planning Commission member, received 1,127 votes.

Democrat DeLight G. Sieler held on to her township treasurer seat with 1,926 votes after facing a challenge from Republican Carol A. Breckel, 1,730 votes. Breckel presently serves as Deputy Treasurer of the township.

Raisin Township Supervisor Carl Wagner ran unopposed to retain his position as did Raisin Township Clerk, Betty Holdridge.

Tecumseh Township Supervisor Roy Schlegel ran unopposed to retain his seat there, as did Tecumseh Township Clerk, Curtis Brown, and Treasurer Rick Bunch. Two incumbent trustees, both Republican, also kept their seats with Michael Feight receiving 728 votes and Patricia L. Lamb getting 726 votes.

Proposals for medical marijuana, stem cells pass statewide, locally
Lenawee County voters weighed in on two statewide ballot proposals with area votes cast in favor of both. A medical marijuana proposal received 26,643 favorable votes vs. 19,129 nays. Area residents were less sure of the stem cell proposal, casting 23,463 NO votes versus 22,168 YES.

Statements were issued from the University of Michigan executive officers and faculty on Wednesday morning regarding the passage of Proposal 2, the amendment to the Michigan Constitution that allows new embryonic stem cell lines to be derived from embryos that have been created for fertility treatment purposes. The embryos affected by the amendment would otherwise be discarded unless donated with informed consent.
Proposal 2, approved by voters in the Nov. 4 general election, overturns a 1978 Michigan law that prohibited creation of new stem cell lines from discarded embryos. The amendment will take effect December 19, 2008. Prior to passage of Proposal 2, Michigan has been one of the most restrictive states in the country with respect to embryonic stem cell research.

Mary Sue Coleman, president of the University of Michigan, noted that the passage of Proposal 2 by Michigan voters signals an exciting new era for scientific research and innovation in Michigan. “By expanding research with the creation of new embryonic stem cells, University of Michigan scientists can broaden their pursuit of therapies and cures for medical disorders that touch the lives of thousands of Michigan families,” she said. “We will now build on our already strong reputation for adult stem cell research with an equally committed approach to embryonic stem cell research. We are proud to be one of the country’s leading research universities, and this endorsement by voters will strengthen our ability not only to improve the health of our communities, but also to boost the intellectual and economic vitality that is critical to the future of our region.”
Dr. Robert Kelch, U-Ms executive vice president for medical affairs, said by passing Proposal 2, the citizens of Michigan have voiced their hope for the future of biomedical research, their confidence in the scientists’ talents, and their desire for Michigan to be known as a welcoming environment for life sciences discovery and industry.

“Now, it is up to us in the scientific community to build upon what the voters have given us,” he said, “and to maintain their trust and respect by carrying out this research with the utmost regard for both ethical and legal boundaries.” Dr. Kelch said it is not yet known what the scientists’ stem cell research will find or how soon it might impact the way human diseases are diagnose and treated. “But we do know that scientific research is what has brought us to today’s heights of medical achievement. And only through further research, free from undue restrictions, will we realize even greater gains. The voters of Michigan deserve thanks for sharing that vision with us.”