By Ilsa Minor

iminor@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Voters have spoken and selected a few familiar faces to represent Republicans on the ticket for the open seats on the Delta County Board of Commissioners.

Perhaps the most unique race on Tuesday’s Republican primary ballot was the fight for who will represent the party in the race for District 3.

The seat is currently held by Democrat Theresa Nelson, of Bark River, but when the Delta County Reapportionment Commission made adjustments to the map to make the population in each district roughly equal last year, District 3 changed to include Escanaba Township precincts two and three, the slightly-redrawn Precinct 2 in the city of Escanaba, and Bark River and Ford River townships. That bumped Republican Bob Barron, of Escanaba Township, who currently serves as the District 5 county commissioner into District 3’s borders.

Nelson’s position as the Democrat who will appear on the ballot in November remained uncontested Tuesday, as no Democrats had filed to run against her. However, Barron’s goal to remain on the commission faced a new hurdle on the primary ballot, as Christine Williams, of Bark River, filed for the Republican spot on the ballot.

Williams’ filing was not enough to stop Barron. He defeated Williams, 660 (53 percent of votes cast) to 574 (47 percent of votes cast).

However, Escanaba Township residents, who were already represented by Barron, felt differently than the other precincts in District 3. In Escanaba Township Precinct 2, Barron received only 44 votes (26 percent) to Williams’ 125 (74 percent). In Escanaba Township Precinct 3, he faired better, receiving 47 votes (39 percent) to Williams’ 73 (60 percent).

Barron will now face off against Nelson during the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election.

The only candidate who will appear on the General Election ballot for the newly-opened District 5 seat, formerly occupied by Barron, is Republican Robert. J. Petersen. Petersen ran unopposed in Tuesday’s primary.

Tuesday’s primary served as a referendum on currently-seated Republican Commissioner John Malnar, as Malnar faced off against challenger John Denholm to represent the largest district geographically the county. The District 1 represents Baldwin, Bay de Noc, Brampton, Cornell, Ensign, Fairbanks, Garden, Maple Ridge, Masonville, and Nahma townships.

When all the votes were counted, Malnar retained his position, with 675 votes (52 percent) to Denholm’s 625 (48 percent). As no candidates filed to appear on the Democratic primary ballot, Malnar’s name will be the only name appearing on the General Election ballot for the District 1 seat.

Despite losing overall, Denholm had his share of wins in the district. He took Baldwin Township, 77 votes (56 percent) to Malnar’s 59 (43 percent); Garden Township, 89 votes (54 percent) to 77 (46 percent); Maple Ridge Township, 72 votes (60 percent) to 49 (40 percent); and Nahma Township, 49 votes (58 percent) to 36 (42 percent).

Three Republicans — Steven Viau, Brian Godfrey and Anne Truitt — vied for the opportunity to represent the party on the ballot for the District 2 seat, which represents the city of Gladstone and the portion of Escanaba Township west of the Escanaba River. When the ballots were counted, Viau secured his place on the ballot.

Viau won the race with 353 votes (40 percent), beating out Truitt, who received 281 votes (32 percent), and Godfrey, who received 240 votes (28 percent).

Viau will face off in November against Casey S. Schroeder, the only Democrat seeking the seat.

Who will represent each party in District 4 on the November ballot was decided long before polls opened Tuesday. Only Democrat Meredith Seppanen and Republican incumbent David Moyle filed to be on their respective primary ballots.