HOUGHTON — Houghton County voters elected the current sheriff and incumbents on the county board. In Hancock, the council has 30 days to select a new member after one candidate who withdrew from the race finished among the top four vote-getters.

In the sheriff race, Republican Joshua Saaranen defeated Roger Sullivan in the sheriff’s race with 79.3% of the vote. Saaranen was appointed to the position last year following the death of longtime Sheriff Brian McLean.

Saaranen said Wednesday he is humbled and honored to remain sheriff, and thanked the voters.

“I’m excited to continue to serve all the residents of Houghton County,” he said. “Together we can all work together to make our community a better and safer place.”

In District 2 of the County Board of Commissioners, Republican Joel Keranen defeated Democrat Daniel Watrous in District 2 with 60.8%. Kevin Codere had been serving as commissioner on an interim basis after the death of longtime board Chair Albert Koskela, Keranen’s uncle.

“That’s the one handshake I’ll be missing, my uncle congratulating me,” Keranen said. “He was a man of great knowledge and great stature. I wish he was here to congratulate me, but I know he’d be proud of me and happy that I won.”

Keranen said he’s excited to serve on the board, bringing his business experience and perspective as the youngest member. He previously served as Schoolcraft Township’s supervisor.

“It’s a first stepping stone moving up, so I have a bigger section than Schoolcraft Township in my own backyard,” he said. “It’s been neat, and I look forward to representing my district at the county level. I hope to stay engaged and in touch with the people in my district, and the people with me.”

For the second election in a row, Democrat Glenn Anderson beat Republican Dan Holcomb in District 3, winning with 55.3% of the vote.

Anderson said he was humbled by the support of voters for his third term.

“I look forward to working with the new commissioner, Joel Keranen, as well as the other members who are coming back to the county board to address the governance of the county for the next two years,” he said. “I commend Dan Holcomb for running an aggressive but clean campaign against me, which I appreciate. I’m looking forward to representing the residents of District 3 for another two years.”

In District 5, incumbent Roy Britz defeated challenger Daniel Niemela with 64.5% of the vote.

In the Hancock City Council race, six candidates were on the ballot for four at-large council seats. Lisa McKenzie received the most votes with 1,052, followed by Paul LaBine (817), Michael Lancour (778), Whitney Warstler (701), Margo Pizzi (654) and Zack Osborn (582).

Lancour earlier said he did not plan to serve on the council if elected due to a conflict of interest with his role on the Hancock school board.

He resigned from the council Wednesday, City Manager Mary Babcock said. The city charter requires the council to appoint a replacement within 30 days. It will be open to any resident, but the council will decide what procedure to follow, Babcock said.

“Hopefully tonight at the organizational meeting, it will be determined what actions they want to take,” she said.

All millages in the Copper Country passed. Babcock was happy to see the passage of Hancock’s millage, which will fund a new police officer and maintaining and purchasing police equipment. It received 60.8% of the vote.

“We really want to thank the residents,” she said. “It was an amazing show of support for our police department. We look forward to being able to add another officer.”

Below are unofficial results for local races in the four-county area on Tuesday’s general election ballot. Results are still pending the approval of the counties’ boards of canvassers.

Baraga County

District 1 Republican Gale Eilola (546), District 2 Republican Brad Dakota (371) and District 3 Republican Craig Kent (554) ran unopposed. In District 4, Republican William Menge (528) defeated Fran Whitman (233), who had no party affiliation. In District 5, Republican Chad Cichosz (419) defeated Democrat Judy Bozicevich (193).

Village of Baraga

Wendell Dompier (258) was elected president. Tony Cerroni (209), Scott Lee Koski (185) and Paul Stark (189) were elected trustees.

Village of L’Anse

Ronald Ervast (607) was elected president. William Menge (492), Kristina Waara (435) and Leann Davis (355) were elected to three council seats. Also running was James Hulkonen (345).

Spurr Township

Republican Jason Killoran (132) was elected to a partial supervisor term ending Nov. 20, 2026. Republican Jessica Omernick (128) was elected to a partial clerk term ending Nov. 20, 2026. Democrat Tammy Marier (119) was elected to a partial treasurer term ending Nov. 20, 2026. Dennis Bentti (73) and Joel LePage (61), who have no party affiliation, were elected to partial trustee terms ending Nov. 20, 2026.

Arvon Township School District

Kristy Laramore (233) and Kyle Wiseman (192) were elected to the school board.

Baraga Area Schools

JoAnne Danielson (958) and write-in candidates Sue Ann Wilson (199), Carmen Larson (146), and Michael Lahti (114) were elected.

L’Anse Area Schools

Voters approved a five-year, 18.398-mill renewal of operating millage (1,438-608).

Daniel Cavanaugh (1,644) and James Fedie (1,562) were elected to six-year terms. Melissa Ann Paulson (1,798) was elected to a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2026. Amanda Nordstrom (1,752) was elected to a partial term ending Dec. 31, 2024.

N.I.C.E. Community Schools

Steve Baril (31), Randy Couveau (42), John Grove (36), Chad Korpi (66), Crystal Lafreniere (80) and Wendy S. Pederson (64) ran for three seats on the board for the district, most of which is in Marquette County.

Houghton County

Republican Joshua Saaranen (10,742) defeated Roger Sullivan (2,802), who has no party affiliation, for a partial term as sheriff ending Dec. 31, 2024.

In District 2, Republican Joel Keranen (2,122) defeated Democrat Daniel Watrous (1,118). U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate Timothy Sears, who did not actively campaign, received 246 votes. In District 3, Democrat Glenn Anderson (1,833) defeated Republican Dan Holcomb (1,481).

In district 5, Republican Roy Britz (2,345) defeated Daniel Niemela (1,288), who had no party affiliation.

District 1 Republican Tom Tikkanen (2,325) and District 4 Democrat Gretchen Janssen (990) ran unopposed.

City of Hancock

Lisa McKenzie received the most votes with 1,052, followed by Paul LaBine (817), Michael Lancour (778), Whitney Warstler (701), Margo Pizzi (654) and Zack Osborn (582). Four council seats were up this election. Lancour earlier said he did not plan to serve on the council if elected due to a conflict of interest with his role on the Hancock school board.

Voters also approved a 0.8-mill, 15-year increase in the general fund millage (1,079-695), which will be put toward a new officer position for the Hancock Police Department and equipment.

City of Houghton

Bob Backon (927), Robert Megowen (904), Mike Needham (868) and Craig Waddell (1,034) were elected to four council seats.

Village of Calumet

Voters approved an ordinance by a 136-71 vote declaring the village clerk will be nominated by the village president and appointed by a majority vote of the village council. Robert Tarvis (161) was elected president. Pamela Que (136), Bernice Smith (119) and Lori Weir (80) were elected to four-year terms as trustees. Virginia Dwyer (78) and Peggy Germain (97) were elected to partial trustee terms ending Nov. 30, 2023.

Copper City

Reid Rastello (47) was elected president. Lesley Koski (42), Jenifer Laramore (47) and Stephanie Laurie (44) were elected as trustee.

Village of Laurium

Jessica Hrebec (515) defeated Dale Ninko (155) for a partial term ending Nov. 30, 2024. Krista Carlson (543) and Jeff Erickson (543) were elected to four-year terms on the council. Voters also approved a 1-mill, 10-year millage for the purchase of fire apparatus by a 601-205 vote.

Village of Lake Linden

Glenn Schuldt (329) was elected to a term as president. Shanda Miller (289) and Donald Moyle (276) were elected as trustees.

Village of South Range

Terry Parolini (213) was elected to a four-year trustee term. Paul Saaranen (221) was elected to a partial trustee term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Adams Township

Voters approved a $1.6 million, 30-year bond to build and equip a new fire station in the Atlantic Mine area by a 527-244 vote.

Calumet Township

Republican Lana Hyrkas (2,015) was elected to a partial term as treasurer ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Hancock Township

Voters approved a renewal of the fire operating and maintenance millage up to 1.1591 mills for six years by a 218-51 vote. They also passed a six-year renewal of the fire equipment millage of up to .2314 mills by a 218-47 vote.

Laird Township

Republican Patrick McLaren (196) was elected to a partial supervisor term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Quincy Township

Republican Dennis Raasio (117) was elected to a partial supervisor term ending Nov. 20, 2024. Republican Michael Galetto (92) was elected to a partial trustee term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Stanton Township

Republican Marty Rajala (674) was elected to a partial supervisor term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Adams Township School District

Voters approved a 2-mill, two-year increase in operating millage to restore millage lost in a Headlee rollback by a 636-411 vote.

George Eakin (771) was elected to the school board.

Public Schools of Calumet, Laurium & Keweenaw

Voters approved a 20-mill increase for 10 years for operating millage 2,016-1,829. Melanie Parker (1,680) and James Vertin (1,634) were elected to the school board. The third seat went to write-in candidate Adam Loukus (556). .

Chassell Township Schools

Heather Murphy (679) was elected to the school board.

Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools

Donna Engman (447), Christine Halkola (435), Dallas Bond (354) and Angela Keranen (343) were elected to four seats. Also running were Robin Anderson (337), Brandon Bell (274) and Valorie Troesch (197).

Voters approved an 18-mill, four year operating millage for the district 489-380.

Hancock Public Schools

Randy Heinonen (1,497), Dale Kero (1,485), Rod Paavola (1,453), Catherine Jordan (1,329) and Steven Koskela (1,272) were elected to five seats. Also running was Heather McGee (1,191).

Voters approved a $4.225 million bond proposal for renovations, safety improvements and STEM labs by a 1,808-1048 vote and a five-year, 1.5-mill sinking fund millage for maintenance 1,841-1,007.

Houghton-Portage Township Schools

Rob Fay (1,722) and Scott Leonard (1,945) were elected to two seats.

Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools

Lori Ambuehl (1,163), Patricia Burton (923) and Jeffrey Dennis (1,132) were elected to six-year terms. Courtney Holzberger (1,286) was elected to a partial term ending Nov. 30, 2026.

By a 1,002-694 vote, residents approved a 21-mill, three-year millage increase for operating millage.

Stanton Township Schools

Sarah Anderson (576), Janie Haataja (525) and Paul Marttila (516) were elected to three board seats.

Voters approved an 18-mill, five-year operating millage for the district 497-328.

Keweenaw County

Republican Gary Bracco (1,020) was elected to the county road commission. District 1 Democrat Don Piche (248), District 2 Democrat James Vivian (206), District 3 Republican Del Rajala (171), District 4 Democrat Bob DeMarois (165) and District 5 Republican Randy Eckloff (162) ran unopposed.

Allouez Township

Republican Rebecca Butala (654) was elected to a partial term as clerk ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Eagle Harbor Township

Richard Schaefer (148), who has no party affiliation, was elected to a partial term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Grant Township

Scott Ochodnicky (127) defeated Alexander Protzel (49) for a partial supervisor term ending Nov. 20, 2024. Both candidates have no party affiliation. Gregory Paul Lis (145), who had no party affiliation, was elected to a partial clerk term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Houghton Township

Write-in candidate Ray Chase (12) was elected supervisor. Republican Thomas Hall (47) was elected to a partial trustee term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Grant Township School District

Miranda Kilpela Davis (158), Kirk Filsinger (147) and Staci Gibson Kisiel (156) were elected to three school board seats.

Ontonagon County

In District 5, Ron Store (328), who had no party affiliation, defeated Democrat Marlene Broemer (275). 1st District Democrat John Cane (384), 2nd District Democrat Richard Bourdeau (385), District 3 Republican Robert Nousiainen (485) and District 4 Democrat Carl Nykkanen (422) were elected.

County voters approved a one-year increase of up to 0.2 mills to provide funds to the Ontonagon County Veterans Association (2,350-796). The funds will be used to replace future DAV vans (used to transport the needy veterans to and from Ontonagon County and the VA hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan) at 50% of the cost determined by the DAV on a regular frequency due to high mileage, funds to cover necessary operating and office costs.

Village of Ontonagon

Pamela Coey (374) defeated Tony Smydra (242) for village president. Sarah Hopper (292), Debra Seid (292) and Brittany Penegor (285) were elected to three trustee seats. Also running were Carly Hesterberg (202), Latitia Hixon (79), Daniel Sullivan (253), and Matthew D. Wiesen (174). Mike Rebholz (374) was elected to a partial trustee term ending Nov. 30, 2024.

Bergland Township

David Roberts was the write-in candidate for a partial supervisor term ending Nov. 20, 2024; there were 90 unresolved write-in votes. Republican Shawna Lundvall (205) was elected to a partial term as treasurer ending Nov. 20, 2024. Renee Nyberg (134) and Jerald Wuorenmaa (96), both with no party affiliation, were elected to partial trustee terms ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Bohemia Township

Democrat Brian Taavola (30) was elected to a partial trustee term ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Greenland Township

Kelsey Kemppainen (194) defeated Shannon Kin (87) for a partial term as township treasurer ending Nov. 20, 2024. Both candidates had no party affiliation.

McMillan Township

Kay Richter (167), who had no party affiliation was elected to a partial term as clerk ending Nov. 20, 2024. Dianne Hardes (158), Alice Leno (147), Susan Nykanen (155) and Raymond Rigoni (143) were elected to partial terms on the library board ending Nov. 30, 2026.

Rockland Township

Renee Pantti (78), who had no party affiliation, was elected to a partial term as treasurer ending Nov. 20, 2024.

Ewen-Trout Creek School District

By a 679-540 vote, Ewen-Trout Creek voters approved a 1.5-mill, four-year increase in operating millage to restore millage reduced in a Headlee rollback.

Maggi Brown (560), Shawn Brown (609), Cindy Ellsworth (738) and Victoria Hahka (534) were elected to four school board seats. Also running were Chuck Eldridge (470) and Ann Morrison (524).

Ontonagon Area Schools

Voters approved a $475,000 bond proposal to purchase school buses 1,120-822.

Staci Jolliff-Bengogullari (1,034), Nancy Mattson (1,156), Tammy Stasser (1,102) and Josh Yaklyvich (1,137) were elected to four-year school board terms.

Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District

James Ojala (1,925 votes in Houghton and Ontonagon counties), Catherine Shamion (1,818) and Marti Wegner (1,442) ran in uncontested races.

Gazette reporter Graham Jaehnig contributed to this article.