Editors’ note: this article has been changed to reflect updated numbers from the Ingham County Clerk’s office
Attorney Andrea Larkin won the 54-B district judge race against state Rep. Mark Meadows.
Larkin upsets Meadows in 54-B district judge race
54B District Judge candidate Andrea Larkin, far right, reacts in shock to winning precinct ten as her campaign manager Samantha Artley, far left, claps on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012, in Larkin's home in East Lansing. Larkin's mother Grace Andrews, center, congratulated her daughter. Julia Nagy/The State News —
Photo by Julia Nagy |
and Julia Nagy
The State News
Larkin won 15 of the 17 East Lansing precincts including all four on-campus polling locations and Meadows’ home precinct, and came away with 56 percent of the vote.
Meadows fell short with 43 percent of the vote.
The win was unexpected for Larkin who called herself the underdog since the beginning of the race — Meadows served as mayor for eight years and the 69th district state representative for three consecutive terms.
“When (Meadows) entered the race a few weeks after I did, I thought seriously about throwing in the towel because I thought he was someone who could not be beaten,” Larkin said. “It’s surreal now to think I’ve accomplished that goal.”
Meadows called Larkin and conceded around 11 p.m. when Larkin had a 60-40 percent lead, saying the margin at which he would have to come back was too large for a victory.
“I don’t see how I’d win … looking at the figures right now,” Meadows told The State News. “Andrea’s won, I wish her the very best.”
Both candidates donated thousands of dollars to their respective campaigns in the final weeks before election night.
Larkin said she focused on getting the student vote during their campaign efforts, since the position she ran for sees cases that hit close to home for students- parking violations, minor in possession charges, and party-related violations.
Since her name wasn’t as well-known as her opponent, Larkin also said student support — many of which have never heard of Meadows — would be crucial in clinching a win.
“I spent a lot of time on this campus, I’ve eaten at every dining hall, I’ve been in the lobby of every residence hall,” Larkin said. “I feel really strongly about the part of this job that can help students, and redirect their lives.”
ASMSU vice-president of governmental affairs Dylan Miller said students should pay especially close to the outcome of this race, since it affects students more than any of the others on the ballot.
Ingham County prosecuting attorney Stuart Dunnings III and Sheriff Gene L. Wriggelsworth also won re-election, securing every East Lansing precinct.
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