The fates of the two uncontested East Lansing district candidates in the Ingham County Commissioners' race were sealed before the polls closed Tuesday night - but the race for the 8th District remained up for grabs.
Democrat Marc Thomas beat Republican John Klumpp in a landslide victory to claim the 8th District seat. The 36-year-old MSU alumnus and current political science professor at Lansing Community College is replacing Democrat John Czarnecki, who served on the board of commissioners for 10 years."I'm honored that the people of East Lansing have put their trust in me," Thomas said. "I'll do my best to live up to the standards they set for me. There's a lot to be done."
In addition, with 43 percent of precincts reporting, Ingham County voters leaned 54 percent to 46 percent toward approving a millage request for juvenile delinquent housing and programs. The request would raise $3,720,396 during its first year.
Democrats Mark Grebner and Curtis Hertel Jr. ran unopposed in the 10th and 9th districts, respectively.
Hertel said running unopposed is considerably different than his campaign two years ago when he first won the 9th District seat.
"My wife is a lot happier because she gets to see me a lot more," he said. "It's nice people felt I was doing a good enough job to run unopposed."
East Lansing is divided into three districts out of 16 in Ingham County. The 8th and 10th districts are entirely within the city limits but the 9th District extends into Meridian Township.
Protecting the city's wetlands, maintaining a healthy budget, health care and juvenile justice were all key issues addressed by the candidates.
"The most pressing concern during the next few years is going to be the county budget," Thomas said. "The economic downturn and the less money given by the state will hurt the budget fiscally."
Although Thomas is beginning his first term in office, his family has a political pedigree. Thomas' grandfather, Gordon Thomas, was East Lansing mayor form 1961-71.
Thomas said campus issues also are very important, the 8th District covers some of MSU's campus, including Brody and the West Circle complexes. He said that he will lobby for improved student and resident relations in East Lansing, along with supporting measures that would continue to clean up the Red Cedar River.
Although Thomas said he was an advocate of student concerns, some student voters were unfamiliar with the Ingham County commissioner's' race and neglected to vote for candidates.
"I didn't vote for candidates unless I was familiar with them," said pre-vet sophomore Audrey Rankin. "I only voted for candidates for whom I received information on."
