Richardville has early lead in race for Michigan Senate

11/8/2006

MONROE - In southeastern Michigan, state Rep. Randy Richardville was leading early this morning in his bid to win the state Senate's District 17 seat over challenger Bob Schockman.

Mr. Richardville, a Monroe Republican, said it's "been an incredible experience getting to know people in three counties."

The district includes all of Monroe County, plus parts of Washtenaw and Jackson counties. Mr. Richardville was ahead in all three counties, according to unofficial results.

Mr. Schockman, a Monroe Democrat and Bedford Township clerk, wasn't ready to concede when contacted at 11:30 p.m., in part because only about a third of Monroe County's votes had been tallied. He said he was ahead by a big margin in his township, one of the county's largest.

Unofficial results from Michigan were still trickling in.

In the House races, incumbents Kathy Angerer (D., Dundee) and Dudley Spade (D., Tipton) were hoping to get re-elected to their District 55 and 57 seats, respectively.

Ms. Angerer was challenged by Matt Milosch, a Lambertville Republican who had previously held the job.

Their district includes Bedford, Dundee, Erie, Milan, Summerfield, and Whiteford townships, and parts of Washtenaw County.

Mr. Spade appeared to hold a big lead over his opponent, Jim Koehn (R., Adrian). Their district spans all of Lenawee County, except Cambridge Township.

Mr. Koehn said he fought an uphill battle trying to overcome Mr. Spade's name recognition. Mr. Spade's older brother, Doug Spade, represented the same House district for three terms. "Even though I've been a lifelong resident, the Spade name has been a hard one to overcome," said Mr. Koehn, who will continue on as the Adrian Township supervisor. In the District 56 race, Democrat Kate Ebli and Republican John Manor were vying for an open seat. Both are from Monroe. Their district includes the cities of Luna Pier and Monroe, plus Ash, Berlin, Exeter, Frenchtown, Ida, LaSalle, London, Monroe, and Raisinville townships.

Contact Tom Henry at thenry@theblade.com

or 419-724-6079.