Primary day is here. Who will come out on top?
Once the results are in, we will begin posting local, congressional, and senate results right here.
9 p.m.: Ding, ding, ding
Leelanau County Clerk Michelle Crocker said everything is going smoothly so far on election night as local communities bring in their final ballots to the county building in Lake Leelanau.
9:42 p.m.: By the numbers
Congress: Incumbent Jack Bergman takes early lead with roughly 10% of the vote in (roughly 10,000 votes so far counted). Justin Michal and Matthew DenOtter tied.
Callie Barr led Kyle Blomquist early 55% to 36%, with under 10,000 votes counted.
Senate: Abdul El-Sayed takes a slight edge early over Haley Stevens 51-44%.
Governor: John James leads Perry Johnson early, 81,767 to 60,000 votes. Mike Cox has nearly 20,000 votes cast, and he dropped out.
9:50 p.m.: Benson wins
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson is projected to win over Christopher Swanson with roughly 20% of the vote tallied, according to various news outlets.
10:07 p.m.: Patience ...
No Leelanau election results have been posted.
10:10 p.m.: Bergman holds early
Congress: Incumbent Jack Bergman held commanding leads in early returns, topping Matthew DenOtter and Justin Michal. All counties remain in the very early stages of reporting.
Senate: The Democratic senate primary remained too early to call, with Abdul El-Sayed narrowly leading Haley Stevens 194,677 votes (51.1%) to 172,771 (45.3%), and Mallory McMorrow trailing with 13,560 (3.6%). 26% of expected votes were in, with an estimated 1,084,000 votes remaining to be counted.
Governor: John James led the Michigan GOP Gubernatorial primary field with 98,545 votes (50.6%), followed by Perry Johnson with 69,803 (35.8%) and Mike Cox with 23,911 (12.3%), with 19.1% of expected votes in.
10:23 p.m.: James versus Benson?
John James was projected the winner of the Michigan Gubernatorial Republican primary shortly after the clock struck 10 p.m., leading Perry Johnson and Mike Cox 118,343 votes (50.2%) to 84,713 (36.0%) and 29,339 (12.5%) with roughly a quarter of the vote counted, according to NBC News. We will continue updating until every last vote is counted.
10:57 p.m.: Barr, Bergman set for rematch
Republican Incumbent Jack Bergman was projected the winner, defeating Justin Michal and Matthew DenOtter 28,939 votes (73.2%) to 5,436 (13.7%) and 5,180 (13.1%), with 33.9% of expected votes in.
Democratic nominee Callie Barr was projected the winner, leading Kyle Blomquist and Wayne Stiles 19,504 votes (59.6%) to 11,023 (33.7%) and 2,203 (6.7%), with 31.4% of expected votes in.
Bergman and Barr are slated for a rematch since Bergman defeated Barr in 2024 by nearly 20 points.
11:39 p.m.: El-Sayed, Stevens Too Early To Call
Senate: The race for an empty Michigan Senate race remained too early to call, with Abdul El-Sayed leading Haley Stevens 49.7% to 46.6% and Mallory McMorrow trailing at 3.7%, with about 52.4% of the expected vote counted.
Congress: Matthew DenOtter concedes race:
"First, I want to congratulate my opponents and thank them for putting themselves forward to serve the people of Michigan’s First District. Tonight’s result is not the one we hoped for, but I take it with a grateful heart.
Additionally I am so grateful for my wife, Lisa, and our beautiful daughter, Violet. Your love, patience, and support carried me through every step of this journey, and I am forever grateful for both of you.
To everyone who voted for us, volunteered, donated, put up a sign, shared our message, or prayed for us, thank you. Your support means more than I can ever fully express.
To our campaign team and all who gave so much of themselves, I am deeply proud of what we built together. This campaign was about more than politics. It was about friendship, service, faith, and a shared love for Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
This campaign strengthened my faith, deepened my love for this district, and renewed my commitment to serving others.
Thank you. God bless you, God bless Michigan, and God bless the United States of America."
11:50 p.m.: Early Look: 5 of 13 precincts reported in Leelanau County on Ballot Proposals
County roads and highways maintenance and repair millage renewal: Leading Yes, 3,180 to 751 (80.9%).
County senior citizens services millage renewal and restoration (5 of 13 precincts): Leading Yes, 3,089 to 838 (78.66%).
Elmwood Township fire and emergency medical services millage (2 of 2 precincts — complete): Passed, 1,380 to 349 (79.81%).
Kasson Township fire protection and emergency medical services millage (1 of 1 precincts — complete): Passed, 382 to 160 (70.48%).
Glen Lake Community Library District millage renewal (1 of 3 precincts): Leading Yes, 354 to 188 (65.31%).
Suttons Bay-Bingham Fire & Rescue Authority millage renewal (1 of 2 precincts): Leading Yes, 767 to 178 (81.16%).
Centerville Township fire and ambulance millage: Not yet reported.
Cleveland Township fire department millage: Not yet reported.
Empire Township fire and emergency medical services: Not yet reported.
Leelanau Township police services millage renewal: Not yet reported.
Solon Township fire and ambulance millage: Not yet reported.
11:55 p.m. Leelanau results in statewide and federal races (5 of 13 precincts reported)
Statewide and Federal Races (5 of 13 precincts)
Democratic
Governor: Jocelyn Benson led with 2,476 votes (90.5%), ahead of Christopher Swanson with 257 (9.39%).
U.S. Senate: Abdul El-Sayed led with 1,584 votes (57.16%), ahead of Haley Stevens with 1,096 (39.55%) and Mallory McMorrow with 89 (3.21%).
U.S. Representative, 1st District: Callie Barr led with 1,670 votes (61.58%), ahead of Kyle Blomquist with 925 (34.11%) and Wayne Stiles with 117 (4.31%).
State Senate, 37th District: Kate Gallup led with 1,924 votes (77.18%), ahead of Mitchell Treadwell with 566 (22.7%).
State Representative, 103rd District: Betsy Coffia led with 2,599 votes (99.69%), effectively unopposed.
Republican
Governor: John James led with 927 votes (54.69%), ahead of Perry Johnson with 544 (32.09%), Mike Cox with 201 (11.86%) and Aric Nesbitt with 22 (1.3%).
U.S. Senate: Mike Rogers unopposed, 1,580 votes (99.75%).
U.S. Representative, 1st District: Jack Bergman led with 1,237 votes (74.47%), ahead of Justin Michal with 217 (13.06%) and Matthew DenOtter with 204 (12.28%).
State Senate, 37th District: John Damoose led with 1,548 votes (99.81%), unopposed.
State Representative, 103rd District: Edwin B. Dean led with 1,489 votes (99.73%), unopposed.
Check us out in print tomorrow for all election coverage: local, state, and federal.
