OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — The attention of many Ottawa County voters is pointed at the primary races for seats on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
The controversial political action committee (PAC) Ottawa Impact was hoping to win additional seats on the board of commissioners after losing the second district seat in a special recall election in May.
The PAC vets candidates to run for the county commission and describes itself and its members as being pro-parental rights, pro-childhood innocence, pro-life and pro-America.
Ottawa Impact fielded nine candidates to run for seats on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners. Of the nine candidates, only four won their primary elections.
District 1
In the first district, Ottawa Impact member and current Ottawa County Commissioner for District 1 Gretchen Crosby faced GOP challenger James Barry in the Republican primary election.
Crosby lost the primary, and James Barry is set to face the Democratic candidate in November.
District 2
In the second district, Ottawa Impact member and former commissioner Lucy Ebel was working to win her seat back after Democrat Chris Kleinjans won the seat in a special recall election in May.
Ebel faced GOP opponent Jordan Jorritsma in the Republican primary election.
Ebel lost to Jorritsma, who will head to the November election to face off against Democrat Chris Kleinjans.
District 5
In the fifth district, Ottawa Impact member and current Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Joe Moss faced GOP challenger Mark Northrup in the Republican primary election.
Moss won the primary and is set to face off against Democratic challenger Jon Rabideau in November.
District 6
In the sixth district, Ottawa Impact member and current Ottawa County Commissioner for District 6 Kendra Wenzel faced GOP challenger Sean Haff in the Republican primary election.
Wenzel won the primary and will face off against Democratic opponent Michelle Dieleman in November.
District 7
Ottawa Impact member Rachel Atwood faced GOP challenger John Teeples in the Republican primary election. Current Ottawa County Commissioner of District 7 Rebekah Curran is not running for reelection.
Atwood lost to challenger John Teeples. Teeples will go up against Democratic candidate Heather L. Majestic in the general election in November.
District 8
In the eighth district, Ottawa Impact member and current Ottawa County Board of Commissioners Vice-Chairperson Sylvia Rhodea faced challenger David Lee Morren in the Republican primary election.
Rhodea won the primary election. She will face Democratic challenger Becky Patrick in the November general election.
District 9
In the ninth district, Ottawa Impact member and current Ottawa County Board of Commissioner Roger Belknap faced GOP challenger Phillip Kuyers in the Republican primary election.
Belknap lost the primary. Philip Kuyers is set to face the Democratic candidate in November.
District 10
In the 10th district, Ottawa Impact member Jason Koert faced GOP challenger Josh M. Brugger in the Republican primary election. Current Ottawa County Commissioner of District 10 Roger A. Bergman is not running for reelection.
Koert lost the primary in a landslide. Josh M. Brugger won over 70% of the vote and will face the projected winner of the Democratic primary for the seat, Oliver Shampine, in the November general election.
District 11
In the 11th district, Ottawa Impact member and current Ottawa County Commissioner of District 11 Allison Miedema faced GOP challengers Sara Bajema and Richard Van Dop.
Miedema won the primary, defeating her two challengers handedly. Miedema will face Democrat Keith Courtade in the November general election.