Special election results suggest shakeup at Oakland County Commission – The Oakland Press

The Oakland County District Commission appears to be preparing for a change Tuesday based on the results of a special unofficial election.

At 9 p.m., results showed the panel’s three Democratic incumbents—Dr. Ajay V. Raman and Gwen Markham of Novi, and Brendan Johnson of Rochester Hills—appear destined to be defeated by their Republican challengers.

Johnson lost to Republican Dale Hetrick 4,986 to 6,094; Raman trailed Republican Robert Smiley 5,496 to 7,096; and Markham lost to Republican Daniel Lawless 3,866 to 3,985.

Oakland County Executive David Coulter, a Democrat, led Republican challenger Nick Gjonaj, 188,812 to 129,674.

Another Democrat, incumbent District Attorney Karen McDonald, beat Republican challenger Scott Farida (194,709) by 131,174.

County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, a Republican, hoped to retain his seat ahead of his challenger Amrit Kohli, 188,531 to 141,137.

County Clerk/Recorder of Deeds Lisa Brown led Republican challenger Barb Pallotta by nearly 20 percentage points, 189,965 to 131,837.

Two other Democrats, County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg and Water Commissioner Jim Nash, were leading the races for their seats, more than 10 points ahead of their Republican rivals Donna Blake and Steve Johnson.

If official results confirm the loss of three Democrats on the panel, the party will retain its majority over Republicans, but by a smaller margin.

Troy Democrat Anne Erickson Gault appeared to hold her seat by a narrow margin over Republican Douglas K. McLean, 5,989 to 5,961.

Republican Commissioners Mike Spies and Michael Gyngell, Bob Hoffman, Karen Joliat, Phil Weipert and Christine Long appeared to be heading to victory, as did Democratic Commissioners Angela Powell, Kristen Nelson, Marcia Gershenson, Williams Miller, Yolanda Smith Charles, Linnea Taylor and Charlie Cavell. . Commission Chairman David Woodward was leading the race to retain his seat.