In her third straight election night upset, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) defeated challenger Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) by a margin of 51% to 47%. Libertarian candidate Leah Dailey of South Lyon pulled in 2% of the vote.
The Associated Press called the race for Slotkin just after 3 a.m. Wednesday, and a Slotkin spokesman said Barrett phoned Slotkin and conceded.
“I’m so grateful to the people of mid-Michigan for their support,” said Slotkin. “Tonight, voters here made clear that the politics of division are not what they want for our families or our state.”
According to The Detroit News, Slotkin’s campaign said she had won Brighton, Howell, Grand Ledge, DeWitt Township, the City of DeWitt in GOP-leaning counties, as well as Eaton County — Barrett’s home county.
The race was the second most expensive in the nation, with both campaigns and outside groups spending over $37 million.
Meanwhile, Republicans maintained their lock on Livingston County, easily winning all nine County Commission races, as well as least three of four state legislative contests.
In the 48th District, Republican Jason Woolford of Howell and Democrat Jennifer Conlin of Ann Arbor remain neck and neck, each with about 49% of the vote and as of 9:30 a.m., the race remained uncalled by the AP.
However, in the 49th District, incumbent Republican Ann Bolin beat back a challenge by Democrat Christina Kafkakis, 55%~42% and in the 50th District, Republican incumbent Bon Bezotte also easily defeated Democrat Glen Miller 66%-33%.
The race for the 22nd state Senate seat also saw Democrat Jordan Genso trounced by incumbent Republican Lana Theis 62%-35%.
Voters in Brighton solidly rejected a proposal for recreational marijuana to be sold in the city, 58%-42%.
A countywide Veterans Millage also passed 64%-36%.
Unofficial results can be found through the Livingston County Clerk’s website.
