Hold Your Horses -- GOP Not Winners in Hamburg, Green Oak, Putnam Just Yet

Some champagne corks were being popped on Tuesday night (August 5, 2008) when the results of the Republican primary came in. There were lots of assumptions being made about who had just won "election" by virtue of winning the GOP nominations -- specifically in Hamburg Township.

Victors in the GOP primary were told they had won the clerk, treasurer, and trustee posts because the Democrats had no candidates on the ballot.

But hold your horses, folks. It ain't over till it's over.

It is true there were no Democratic candidates on the ballot, but the Livingston County Democratic Party did wage an aggressive write-in campaign for three township candidates and Livingston County commissioner. The township candidates -- Debby Buckland for clerk, Linda Taylor for treasurer, and Shannon Piper for trustee -- each collected in the neighborhood of 200 votes. Dave Buckland picked up 175 for county commission in district 8, which does not include precinct 3 of the township. The Livingston County Board of Canvassers is reviewing the unofficial primary results, including the write-ins, so we won't know for awhile whether in fact enough write-in votes are valid.

The Livingston Press and Argus has picked up on the fact on Thursday (August 7, 2008) that the races are not over. But it is assuming that way too many votes are needed for write-ins -- namely, 200, based on county-wide voting totals. But in reality, the proper figure for calculating the write-in threshold is probably only several dozen because it is based on township -- and not county-wide -- voting totals.

Meanwhile, races for Green Oak supervisor and Putnam Township supervisor are also still alive, due to the write-in campaigns of Matt Evans and Mike Porath, respectively. Each of those collected healthy write-in totals, too.

The number of write-in votes all these candidates earned indicates voter interest in reducing Republican rule in their townships is high. These are likely to be competitive races in November -- so let's put the cork back in the champagne bottles for awhile longer.

Remember to Vote Today!

Today is primary day in Michigan!

Remember to vote today (August 5) because we have plenty of contested or write-in races on the Democratic side of the ballot in Livingston County.

If you live in the 66th House District, Donna Anderson needs your vote against a candidate who has not shown up for public debates or attended Livingston County Democratic Party meetings despite being invited.

In Hamburg Township, four Democrats are running write-in campaigns so they can be on the ballot in the fall. The four are:

Dave Buckland, county board of commissioners, 8th District (all of Hamburg Township except precinct 3).
Shannon Piper, township trustee.
Linda Taylor, township treasurer.
Debby Buckland, township clerk.

In Green Oak Township, Matt Evans is running a write-in campaign for township supervisor.

And in Putnam Township, Mike Porath is running as a write-in for township supervisor.

Remember to write in their names and to fill in the oval on the computer scan sheet for the appropriate office. The office must be filled in for the vote to count.

Help us ensure voters have a choice in November!

Take a Minute to Help Get Dems on Ballot in Green Oak, Hamburg, Putnam Townships

Voting is a precious right, but voting without having a choice can be a hollow privilege. That's why we are asking you to be certain to vote in the Democratic primary Tuesday, August 5, especially if you live in the townships of Green Oak, Hamburg, or Putnam.

A total of six Democrats have come forward to run as write-in candidates for positions in those townships.

If they receive enough write-in votes on Tuesday, their names will appear on the ballot in November. Otherwise, the Republicans nominated on August 5 will have no opposition on Nov. 4.

Here are the candidates and the offices they seek:

Hamburg Township
Dave Buckland, county board of commissioners, 8th District (all of Hamburg Township except precinct 3).
Shannon Piper, township trustee.
Linda Taylor, township treasurer.
Debby Buckland, township clerk.
Green Oak Township
Matt Evans, township supervisor.
Putnam Township
Michael Porath, township supervisor.

Remember to write in their names and to fill in the oval on the computer scan sheet for the appropriate office. The office must be filled in for the vote to count.

Help us ensure voters have a choice in November!

Legislative Candidates in the News

Democratic candidates for the 66th House seat, now held by term-limited Chris Ward, made their case to voters in the Livingston Press and Argus in a recent article.

Donna Anderson and Tommy Crawford are competing for the nomination, but Anderson, who has been vice-chair of the party until stepping down to focus on her race, has been a much more visible and active Democrat than Crawford. Crawford does not appear to be registered in the party and did not attend a local party meeting last week to which he was invited.

The Press and Argus article will be available for only a limited time, but here are some portions of it:

"Brighton resident Donna Anderson, who made an unsuccessful bid for the state Senate two years ago, is focusing on investing more in education, increasing the number of jobs and improving the environment in her campaign, while Milford Township resident Tommy Crawford is looking for the state to spend less on oil and to lower taxes for residents."

Anderson also said the state should continue to diversify the economy and expand use and production of alternative energy. She also urged expansion of early childhood education and an examination of whether non-violent offenders could be let out of prison to cut costs without endangering public safety.

According to the Press and Argus:

"Crawford, 21, said the state is relying too much on oil.

"'We could cut spending as far as using less oil and stuff like that,' Crawford said."

The Press and Argus is planning a forum for legislative candidates who have competition in the August primary. We'll post the details.