By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
The August primary election ballots were confirmed Tuesday after the 4 p.m. filing deadline for candidates. The mid-term election year offered few challengers for state House and Senate races to be determined Tuesday, Aug. 5.
For the Senate, Downriver voters have a choice to make with a contested primary in the newly-defined District 4, which includes Southgate and Lincoln Park. Incumbent Virgil Smith (Detroit) faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Rashida Tlaib (Detroit) and newcomer Howard Worthy. Republican Keith Franklin (Detroit) will advance to the general election unopposed
District 1 — which includes Trenton, Riverview and Wyandotte — will send incumbent Democrat Coleman Young II (Detroit) and Republican Barry Berk (Detroit) to the general election unopposed. Likewise, Taylor’s District 6 will decide in November between incumbent Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) and Darrell McNeill (R-Taylor).
For the state House of Representatives, term limits will keep 12th District (Taylor) Rep. Douglas Geiss (Taylor) from seeking re-election, and a Democratic showdown in August will pit his wife, Erika Geiss, against Alexis Brice of Belleville for the party’s nomination. The winner will face Republican candidate Kelly Thompson (Romulus) in November.
The 13th District — which includes Allen Park, Southgate and Dearborn Heights — also faces a term-limited contest, with Rep. Andrew Kandrevas (D-Southgate) unable to seek re-election. Democrats Tony Couls (Allen Park), Frank Liberati (Allen Park), Sue Murray (Southgate), Geraldine Trager (Southgate) and Tony Trupiano (Dearborn Heights) are seeking their party’s nomination. Republican challenger Harry Sawicki (Dearborn Heights) will advance to the general election.
Incumbent Rep. Patrick Somerville (R-New Boston) of the 23rd District, which includes Trenton, is running unopposed for his party’s nomination. In November Somerville will face the winner of the Democratic primary from candidates David Haener (New Boston), Andy Linko (Brownstown Township) and Bob Plaszynski (Brownstown Township).
There will be no primary for District 14 (Lincoln Park), as incumbent Paul Clemente (D-Lincoln Park) and challenger Nathan Inks (R-Lincon Park) will advance to November.
(James Mitchell can be reached at jmitchell@bewickpublications.com.)