COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The field will be full of area state and congressional candidates in both the August primary and November general election, after yesterday’s filing deadline in Michigan.
In the newly named 35th State House District, which covers Branch and Hillsdale counties, as well as the City of Hudson in Lenawee County, current Republican State Representative Andrew Fink will face a primary challenge from Cement City businessman Steve Meckley, with Andrew Watkins of Hillsdale filing as a Democrat. Scott Starr of Coldwater originally filed in the Democrat race, but then withdrew.
Starr is now the lone Democrat in the 17th District State Senate race. The district covers Branch County and runs from Hillsdale County in the east to Berrien County in the west. Jonathan Lindsey of Bronson is facing current State Senator Kim LaSata of Niles in the Republican primary.
Current 7th District Congressman Tim Walberg will be facing two Republican challengers in the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District. Dr. Sharon O’Donnell of Stevensville and Elizabeth Ferszt of Jackson have both filed, with the lone Democrat being Bart Goldberg of New Buffalo.
Michigan lost one congressional seat in the latest U.S. Census count.
According the the Michigan Secretary of State website, we are in the 35th district house district, not the 30th.