Republican Greg Stewart handily defeating incumbent in Bedford Township

11/6/2012

TEMPERANCE -- Bedford Republican Club precinct observers report that the GOP's endorsed candidate, Greg Stewart, is handily beating incumbent Walt Wilburn, who is running as a write-in candidate, in the early returns.

The unofficial returns from 10 precincts give Mr. Stewart 4,860 votes to Mr. Wilburn's 1,268. The township has 14 precincts. Mr. Stewart beat Mr. Wilburn in the Aug. 7 GOP primary to earn the Republican endorsement.

The Michigan polls closed at 8 p.m. Three Bedford precincts have reported delays in getting their votes counted.

In the contest for four trustee seats, the unofficial GOP numbers show Republican Paul Pirrone with 4,512 votes, followed by incumbent Democrat Larry O'Dell with 4,020.

Other trustee candidates and their numbers are Democrat Mark Ellsworth, with 3,878; Republican Rick Steiner, with 3,842; Republican Nancy Tienvieri, with 3,738, and Republican Jeff Zink, with 3,657.

Trudy Hershberger, the candidate for township clerk has collected 4,247 votes and Paul Francis, the candidate for township treasurer, 4,125. Both are Republicans running unopposed.