Voters choose Kalamazoo County commissioner candidates to advance to November

KALAMAZOO, MI -- The field is set for November in all Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners races.

Only two races were contested in the Tuesday, Aug. 6, primary election: District 2 for the Republicans and District 4 for Democrats.

Voters chose Gary Mitchell to advance as the Republican nominee for District 2 and incumbent Abby Wheeler to advance as the Democratic nominee for District 4.

In District 2, Mitchell received 454 votes, about 60% of the total, while candidate Andrew Smith received 301 votes, according to unofficial county vote totals.

The two Republicans competed for the nomination, with Mitchell earning the right to face incumbent Democratic Commissioner Jen Strebs in November.

District 2 includes portions of the city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo Township.

In District 4, Wheeler received 1,838 votes, or about 56%, to secure the Democratic nomination. Challenger Sarah Joshi received 1,441 votes, unofficial vote tallies show.

Wheeler will face Republican candidate Jason Mikkelborg in November.

Kalamazoo County candidates — Abby Wheeler, left, and Sarah Joshi, right.(Vote411.org)

District 4 includes the western half of the city of Portage.

The board has nine members elected to four-year terms to represent different areas of the county. The board guides the operation and administration of the county government.

To view the uncontested winners in the other districts, visit the county elections website.

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