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Election Day is Today
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HOUGHTON -- The 2026 Midterm Election is today. Copper Country residents will decide on local, state and federal races, along with ballot proposals at the state and local level.
Federal races
The federal races feature one of the most scrutinized Senate campaigns in recent memory. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed (D-Ann Arbor) versus Former U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) are running for the seat of U.S. Senator Gary Peters, who is retiring after his term expires.
El-Sayed is running on a progressive, youth-centric platform of Medicare for all, money out of politics and affordable living. While Rogers's platform is based on decreasing housing and healthcare costs, as well as supporting President Trump's current agenda.
Both candidates have been apart of televised debates on WOOD in Grand Rapids and WXYZ in Southfield.
In the 1st Congressional District race for the U.S. House of Representatives. Incumbent Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) faces off once again against Callie Barr (D-Traverse City).
Barr is running on a platform of affordability, which included food, housing and healthcare. Bergman's campaign is focused on rural infrastructure, protecting veterans and national security.
There have been no televised debates between the two U.S. house candidates.
State races
Democratic nominee for Governor and current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D-Detroit)is facing Republican U.S. Representative John James (R-Shelby Township).
Benson is campaigning on her record as secretary of state, expanding services in Michigan, as well as opposing data center development, affordable childcare and healthcare, lowering energy costs and expanding education.
James's campaign platform includes lowering everyday costs, supporting parental rights in education, anti-corruption in Lansing and public safety.
In the 38th State Senate District Race, State Representative Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River) faces off against Delta County Commissioner Kelli Van Ginhoven (D-Escanaba).
Prestin is running on a platform of affordable energy, government accountability, agricultural rights and secure elections. Van Ginhoven's key issues include affordable housing, funding public education, clean energy, mental healthcare expansion and pro-union policy.
At the State House level, the 110th District race features incumbent Gregory Markkanen (R-Hancock) and Houghton City Councilor Brian Irizarry (D-Houghton).
Markkanen is running on a platform of educational funding, economic development and public safety. Irizarry is focused on responsible energy development, affordable childcare and supporting small businesses.
You can read each candidate’s responses in the League of Women Voters's Local Election Guide, published in The Gazette on Oct. 24. Both races' candidate forums are available on WNMU-PBS Video.
Two constitutional ballot proposals will also be decided Tuesday. The first proposal asks voters whether or not they would like to have a constitutional convention to augment the state constitution. The second takes a look at money in politics and would prohibit utility companies or government contractors from donating to political causes.
You can read about both in last week's editions of The Gazette.
Local elections
Residents in Baraga, Calumet, Copper City, Houghton, Hancock, Lake Linden, L'Anse, Laurium and South Range will elect their city and village government. Local school boards will also be decided, as well as the newly established Keweenaw Heartlands Board.
Baraga, Calumet, Copper City, Lake Linden, L'Anse and Laurium village council seats and positions are all featuring unopposed races.
Houghton City Council has four seats with five running. Chad Arney, Robert Megowen, Mike Needham, Rhiannon Schmidt and Matt Siegel are running. On the other side of the bridge in Hancock, there are four seats with seven persons running. Ruth Gill, Sara Lahti, Mandy Lounibos, Jennifer Ormsbee, Joseph Rushlau, Ryan Tanner and Jeffrey Thornton are running for four seats.
In Keweenaw County, the Heartlands Authority Board will have five persons elected, two of which are on partial terms. Russ Bjorn, Pete Clevenstine, Gregg Patrick, John Schubbe and George Twardzik are running for three four-year seats. Jeremy Bus, Braydon Cima, Richard Marsh, Hannah Rooks, Ramon Simonson, Kevin Tita and James Vivian III are running for the two shorter, two-year terms.
Millages
There are two proposals on the county-wide ballot for Houghton County. The Houghton County Jail and Building Improvement Bond Proposal asks for 1.2726 mills over 30 years to construct a new jail through requesting $28 million in bonds. The Copper Country Intermediate School District is asking for a replacement on its current special education millage, asking for 0.2903 mill over a period of 20 years.
Franklin Township has three millages up for renewal. Its fire department is asking for 1 mill for four years of funding, another one for its fire apparatus at .25 mills for four years and a road improvement fund asking for 2 mills over four years.
Hancock has two millages on the ballot. One of which is a renewal at .8 mills over five years for the city's recreation amenities and the other is .7 mills over five years for funding the new district library which separated its funding from the school district this summer.
The Village of Laurium is asking voters in the municipality to decide whether or not its department of public works will receive funding from a replacement millage at 2.5 mills over five years. Stanton Township also has a millage. This one is a renewal for the existing public schools operating millage at 17.5055 mills over 8 years.
The Daily Mining Gazette will feature coverage of Tuesday's Midterm election in Thursday's edition.