2 races draw full complement of hopefuls

8/1/2004
BY ERICA BLAKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER

As two area Michigan legislators prepare to leave office because of term limits, the races to replace them have attracted a plethora of candidates.

Two Democrats and four Republicans are vying for the 56th House District seat that will be vacated by Randy Richardville (R., Monroe).

In the Democratic primary, Jeffrey Andring, 42, of Newport, a former Jefferson Schools' board of education members, will face off against Herb Kehrl, 62, of Monroe, a former high school prin-

cipal and recently re-

signed chair-

man of the Monroe County Mental Health Authority.

The Republican ballot features first-time candidates John Manor, Dean Patten, Jason Kitts, and Yann Iannucci.

Mr. Manor, 34, of Monroe is marketing director and a politics reporter for the Michigan Chronicle.

He is opposed by Mr. Kitts, 22, of Dundee, a financial planner, and Mr. Iannucci, 37, of Monroe, a retired construction worker.

Also on the ballot is Mr. Patten, 44, of Monroe, who ran against Mr. Richardville in the last two elections.

The 56th District covers a portion of Monroe County that extends from Luna Pier northward along the Lake Erie shoreline to the Wayne County line, then westward to the border with townships that are traversed by U.S. 23.

Besides Luna Pier, the 56th includes the city of Monroe and Ash, Berlin, Exeter, Frenchtown, Ida, LaSalle, London, Monroe and Raisinville townships.

In the 57th House District, which is all of Lenawee County except Cambridge Township, three Republicans and two Democrats are competing to replace Doug Spade, (D., Adrian).

Among the Democratic candidates is Mr. Spade's brother, Dudley Spade, 48, of Tipton, the director of information systems for Starr Commonwealth of Albion.

Also on the Democratic ticket is Kevin Molter, 49, of Madison Township, a technology education and computer-aided design teacher at Adrian High School.

On the GOP ballot is Lenawee County Commissioner David Abraham, 42, a real estate appraiser; Adrian business owner Judy Ackley, 60; and state corrections officer Jeff Votzke, 40, of Cement City, who serves on the Woodstock Township Planning Board.