Two-thirds of the seats on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners will have a battle for the Republican primary following Monday’s announcement by former Howell Mayor Nick Proctor that he has filed to run for the newly created 5th District, which includes the City of Howell and Marion Township.
Proctor has filed to run in the August 2nd GOP primary against current Commissioner Jay Drick.
Marion Township resident Kasey Helton is the lone Democrat to file for the seat. When informed about Proctor’s filing, she told GIGO News, “I think people are tired of the same insider politics from Republicans in Livingston County, and I look forward to defeating whoever emerges from this primary.”
Other districts facing Republican primary battles are the 2nd District in which former County Commissioner Dave Domas is challenging incumbent Commissioner Carol Sue Reader, the 3rd District in which Livingston County Republican Party Chair Meghan Reckling is vying for the nomination along with former Iosco Township Clerk Dan Delmerico and Frank Sample, the 6th District with Brighton Twp. Trustee Dan Schifko contending with Roger Deaton, in the 8th District Genoa Township Trustee Jim Mortenson is facing off against one-time Brighton Area School Board President Nick Fiani and in the 9th District where current Commissioners Jay Gross and Brenda Plank have both filed.
While mayor, Proctor was known for his emphasis on nonpartisan approaches to issues while still being open to points of view from both sides of the political aisle.
According to a press release, Proctor is a veteran of the US Army Counterintelligence Corps, while his work with the then newly established Defense Investigative Service (currently the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency) was recognized with a Joint Service Commendation.
“He went on to have a successful career in both the public and private sectors in security, counterintelligence, and counterterrorism,” stated the release. “He was with the US Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and had foreign postings in Germany, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Japan. He also served as Head of Global Security for British American Tobacco based in London, England where he oversaw security operations in 180 countries.”
Proctor says he was “fortunate to spend a significant amount of my career abroad where I worked with and learned from people from most every ethnicity, religion, and culture.”
Proctor says “listening and learning from the people of Livingston County, particularly in the 5th District, will be a hallmark of his campaign and, if elected, his tenure,” adding that “In the weeks and months ahead, I look forward to seeking a diverse range of opinions and ideas that will help sustain Livingston County as a fantastic place to invest, work and raise a family.”
In recognition of his contributions to the community, Proctor was recently named the 2021 Citizen of the Year by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the American Legion Devereaux Post 141, the Livingston County Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Board of the Livingston Arts Council, and with Howell Rotary where he has been active with the Alzheimer’s Association.
