Bernero's Senate seat up for special election
January 4, 2006
By Chris Andrews
Lansing State Journal Granholm sets votes in Ingham County for Feb. 21, March 14
Ingham County voters will to go to the polls for a special election to pick a state Senate replacement for Virg Bernero, who became mayor of Lansing on Sunday. Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Tuesday called a special primary for Feb. 21 and a special general election for March 14. She scheduled special elections for two House vacancies to coincide with the August primary and November general election. Four candidates have announced for the Ingham County Senate seat. State Rep. Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing and Lansing businesswoman Melissa Sue Robinson are running as Democrats and former Lansing City Councilwoman Geneva Smith and Okemos attorney Vincent Green as Republicans. The departure of Bernero, a Democrat, leaves Republicans with a 22-15 Senate majority. The 23rd Senate District is all of Ingham County except Mason, Vevay Township, Leslie, Leslie Township, Bunker Hill Township and Stockbridge Township. "It's a competitive district," said Ed Sarpolus of the Lansing polling firm EPIC-MRA. Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd said the governor listened to local officials in deciding whether to hold early special elections. She said Pontiac and Monroe officials expressed concerns about the costs to fill House vacancies, while Ingham County Clerk Mike Bryanton was urging a special election. Bryanton said the election will cost $320,000 to $400,000. About $45,000 will be paid by the county, the rest by local governments. "That's the price of good government. As an Ingham County resident, I didn't want to go 11 months without representation in the Senate." Contact Chris Andrews at 377-1054 or candrews@lsj.com.
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