HOUGHTON — Most local races were unaffected by a U.S. District Court ruling extending the deadline for some filings in the August primary. The decision only applies to candidates for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Wayne County Community College Trustee and judicial offices (if non-incumbents), and city offices for which the city charter does not allow the option to file with a fee. Filing deadlines for those races were extended to May 8. 

Candidates for county convention delegate must file by May 5. 

The filing deadline for all other races in the August primary remained April 21.  

Here are the candidates who have filed in Houghton County:

U.S. Senate

Incumbent Sen. Gary Peters the sole Democrat. Running on the Republican side are Bob Carr and John James.

U.S. House 

Rep. Jack Bergman is unopposed in the Republican primary. Running on the Democratic side are Dana Ferguson and Linda O’Dell. 

For the 110th District in the State House, incumbent Rep. Greg Markkanen is unopposed in the Republican primary. Running on the Democratic side are Lawrence Dale, Janet Metsa and Casey VerBerkmoes. 

In the 4th District Court of Appeals, Michael Kelly and Amy Krause are running for two incumbent positions. Michelle Rick is running for the non-incumbent position. 

County-wide races

In the sheriff race, incumbent Sheriff Brian McLean is running against challenger Steven Laux in the Republican primary. 

In the clerk race, incumbent Clerk Jennifer Kelly is the sole candidate on the Democratic side; likewise for challenger Justin Kasieta on the Republican side.

Prosecutor Brittany Bulleit, Treasurer  Lisa Mattila, Mine Inspector Murray Gillis, Drain Inspector John Pekkala are running unopposed in the Democratic primary, and face no opposition in the general election. 

12th Circuit Court Judge Charles Goodman is running unopposed. 

County board

In District 1, incumbent Republican Vice Chair Tom Tikkanen and Democratic challenger Amber Brodersen are the sole candidates in their primaries. The same is true in District 2, where incumbent Republican Chair Albert Koskela will face Democratic challenger Mark Pavolich in November. 

Commissioners Glenn Anderson (D), Gretchen Janssen (D) and Roy Britz (R) are running unopposed. 

Townships

• Adams Township: Gerald Heikkinen (D) is running for supervisor, Debra Pindral (D) is running for clerk, Tracy Immonen (R) is running for treasurer, and Diane Keranen (R) is running for trustee.

• Calumet Township: Timothy Gasperich (R) is running for supervisor; Beth Salmela (R) is running for clerk; Fay Mattson (R) is running for treasurer; Thomas Helppi (R), Paul Lehto (R), Jeff West (R), David Yeo (R) Robert Zander (R) are running for four trustee positions. 

• Chassell Township: Kelly Holmes (R) is running for treasurer; Ryan Kuntze (R) and Daniel Palosaari (R) are running for two trustee positions. 

• Elm River Township: Sherri Brandt (D) is running for clerk, Richard Trudgeon (D) is running for trustee.

• Franklin Township: Tara Dulong (D) is running for clerk; Jodi Mikesch (D) is running for treasurer; Lawrence Julio (D) and Daniel Dulong Jr. (R) are running for two trustee positions.

• Hancock Township: Michael Scott Young (R) is running for supervisor, Lori Makela Young (R) is running for clerk, Ronald Racine Sr. (R) is running for trustee.

• Laird Township: Patrick McLaren (D) and Brian Wilder (R) are running for supervisor; Robin Henry (R) is running for clerk; Nicole Krajnak (R) is running for treasurer; Patricia Spencer (D) and John Juntunen (R) are running for two trustee positions; Francis Tossava (D) and Paul Peterson (R) are running for constable. 

• Osceola Township: Tracy Sleeman Houle (R) is running for clerk, Christa Gardner (R) is running for treasurer; Donald Wareham (D) and Aaron Janke (R) are running for two trustee positions.

• Portage Township: Bruce Petersen (D) is running for supervisor, Amy Skewes (R) is running for clerk, Betsy Smith (D) is running for treasurer; Peggy Anderson (D), Bill Fink (D), John Ollila (D) and Bill Bingham (R) are running for four trustee positions; Roy Britz (R) and Robert Laux (R) are running for two constable positions. 

• Quincy Township: Glenn North (R) is running for supervisor, Beth Helminen (R) is running for clerk, Cheri Raasio (R) is running for treasurer; Dennis Raasio (R) is running for trustee. 

• Schoolcraft Township: Joel Keranen (R) is running for supervisor; Gary Wenberg (R) is running for clerk; Dennis Racine (D) is running for treasurer; Susan Marcotte (D) and Josh Loukus (R) are running for two trustee positions. 

• Stanton Township: Glenn Ekdahl (D) and John Mattila (R) are running for supervisor; Kara Heinonen (R) is running for clerk; Lori Anderson (R) is running for treasurer; Mark Haataja (R) and Michael Pionke (R) are running for two trustee positions. 

• Torch Lake Township: Brian Cadwell (D) is running for supervisor, Mary Isola (D) is running for clerk, Kathryn Moore (D) is running for treasurer; Scott Sapino (D) and Lou Ambuehl (R) are running for two trustee positions.