HOUGHTON — Copper Country voters followed the districtwide trends in federal and state elections on Tuesday’s primary ballot, while approving all millages on the ballot.

There were only a handful of contested races on the county level across the four-county area. In Baraga County, James Niemela beat Nicholas Lozier in the Republican primary to fill the 1st District county board seat. There was no Democratic candidate. The seat is currently held by Gale Eilola, who is not seeking reelection.

In Houghton County, there will be a new mine inspector, as Tom Wright beat J. Murray Gillis in the Democratic primary. In the District 2 county board race, Republican incumbent Joel Keranen defeated challenger Betsy Baril and will now face Democratic opponent Casey Verberkmoes, who ran unopposed.

Voters handily approved millages, including ambulance millages in Baraga and Ontonagon counties.

With few contested elections, turnout was light, ranging from 22.5% in Houghton County to 31.7% in Ontonagon County.

U.S. House

Callie Barr defeated Bob Lorinser in the Democratic primary for the 1st District, also winning 59.7% of the vote in the four-county area. Rep. Jack Bergman defeated challenger Josh Saul in the Republican primary, winning 87.4% of the Copper Country vote.

U.S. Senate

Elissa Slotkin, who defeated Hill Harper in the Democratic primary for the seat now held by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, won 78.4% of the four-county vote. In the Republican primary, Mike Rogers won the nomination in a four-person field, also taking the Copper Country vote with 61.5%.

State House

Incumbent Jenn Hill easily defeated Margaret Brumm and Randy Girard in the Democratic primary in the 109th District; she received nearly 90% of the vote in Baraga County, which became part of the district after the latest round of redistricting. In the Republican primary, Karl Bohnak also defeated multiple challengers, getting 56.5% of the vote against Burt Mason and Melody Wagner. Mason, a Baraga County resident, received 36.7% of the vote there.

In the 110th District, Democratic challenger Kim Corcoran and Republican incumbent Greg Markkanen ran unopposed in their primaries.

Baraga County

In the 1st District county commissioner race, James Niemela defeated Nicholas Lozier in the Republican primary 150 to 110. The seat is currently held by Gale Eilola, who is not seeking reelection.

In the Republican primary, Prosecutor Joseph O’Leary (1,041), Sheriff Joe Brogan (1,211), Clerk Wendy Goodreau (1,218), Treasurer Jill Tollefson (1,168) and Mine Inspector Joseph Gabe (1,143) ran unopposed. 2nd District Commissioner Brad Dakota (149), 3rd District Commissioner Craig Kent (222), 4th District Commissioner William Menge (331) and 5th District Commissioner Chad Cichosz (203) ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Houghton County

In the Democratic primary, Tom Wright defeated incumbent Mine Inspector J. Murray Gillis 1,207 to 1,160. Clerk Jennifer Kelly (2,258), Treasurer Lisa Mattila (2,547), and Drain Commissioner John Pekkala (2,420) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Prosecutor Daniel Helmer (2,371) and Sheriff Joshua Saaranen (2,634) ran unopposed.

In the 2nd District of the county board, incumbent Commissioner Joel Keranen defeated challenger Betsy Baril 505 to 173; he will face Democratic candidate Casey Verberkmoes (528) in November. 3rd District Commissioner Glenn Anderson (571) and 4th District Commissioner Gretchen Janssen (341) ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. 1st District Commissioner Tom Tikkanen (486) and 5th District Commissioner Roy Britz (754) ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Keweenaw County

In the Democratic primary, Prosecutor Charles Miller (271) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Sheriff Curt Pennala (274), Clerk Julie Carlson (274), Treasurer Eric Hermanson (267) and Road Commissioner Richard Olson (253) ran unopposed.

In county board races, 1st District Commissioner Donald Piche (75) and 4th District Commissioner Bob DeMarois (33) ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while 3rd District Commissioner Del Rajala (39) and 5th District Commissioner Randy Eckloff (58) ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Ontonagon County

In the Democratic primary, Sheriff Dale Rantala (643), Clerk Stacy Preiss (671) and Treasurer Michele Smith (647) ran unopposed.

In the county board, 2nd District Commissioner Richard Bourdeau (138) and 4th District Commissioner Carl Nykanen (137) ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, while 3rd District Commissioner Robert Nousiainen (108) ran unopposed in the Republican primary. In District 5, Marlene Broemer (134) and Ron Store (185) ran unopposed in the Democratic and Republican primaries, respectively.

Baraga County local races

Arvon Township

In the Republican primary, Jay Fish (supervisor, 181 votes), Lisa Marinich (clerk, 178), Krystal Eliason (treasurer, 178), Keith Erickson (trustee, 164) and Robert Janda (trustee, 156) ran unopposed. Katherine Salisbury (166) also ran unopposed for Republican delegate to the county convention.

Baraga Township

In the Democratic primary, Abby Bergerson (trustee, 145) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, George Danielson (supervisor, 363), Michelle Fish (clerk, 360), Catherine Wadaga (treasurer, 365) and Jerry Dompier (trustee, 345) ran unopposed. Jeffery Loman (121) and Brenda Turunen (203) also ran unopposed for Republican delegate to the county convention in Precinct 1 and Precinct 2, respectively.

Covington Township

In the Democratic primary, Lisa Karcher (treasurer, 22) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Amber Franti (supervisor, 70), Amy Leaf (clerk, 70) and Laurie Ahola (trustee, 73) ran unopposed.

L’Anse Township

In the Democratic primary, John Robillard (constable, 252) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Peter Magaraggia (supervisor, 495), Shelley Lloyd (trustee, 496) and Jennie Nordstrom (constable, 471) ran unopposed. Kevin Dean (261) and Rollin Thoren (219) ran for Republican delegate to the county convention.

Houghton County local races

Adams Township

In the Democratic primary, Gerald Heikkinen (supervisor, 159) and Debra Pindral (clerk, 172) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Tracy Immonen (treasurer, 139), Paul Eister (trustee, 83) and Diane Keranen (trustee, 134) ran unopposed. Janet Gregorich (163) was unopposed for Democratic delegate to county convention; so were Dan Holcomb (116) and Wanda Kiiskila (85) on the Republican side.

Calumet Township

In the Republican primary, trustee candidates Gary Lassila (326), Eugene Londo (265), Jeff West (302) and David Yeo (311) defeated Thomas Helppi (253) in the race for four trustee seats. Timothy Gasperich (supervisor, 437), Robin Hicks (clerk, 417) and Lana Hyrkas (treasurer, 433) ran unopposed. Brent Eskola (trustee, 347) ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Eskola (117) and Patricia Tikkanen (136) ran unopposed as the Democratic delegate for county convention. Brendan Bekkala (127) was elected the Republican delegate.

Chassell Township

Democrat Rebecca Darling (110) and Republican Anita Maki (196) ran unopposed as delegates to their respective county conventions.

Elm River Township

In the Democratic primary, Sherri Brandt (clerk, 31) ran unopposed.

Franklin Township

In the Republican primary, Elizabeth Aho (clerk, 101), DJ Dulong (trustee, 90) and Lawrence Julio (trustee, 67) ran unopposed. Sharon Foix (63) and Steve Foix (61) are also running unopposed for Republican delegate to the county convention in District 1. In District 2, Brendan R. Hunter (27) ran unopposed as a Democratic delegate.

City of Hancock

Susan C. Nielsen (100) ran unopposed as a Democratic delegate to the county convention in Precinct 1. Glenn Anderson (93), Audrey Gerard (83) and Barbara Manninen (81) ran for three Democratic delegate slots in Precinct 2. In Precinct 3, Democratic delegate Ruth Lahti (105) and Republican delegate Clint Kyro (84) ran unopposed.

Hancock Township

In the Republican primary, Michael Young (supervisor, 47), Amy Jo Maki (clerk, 49), Connie Pietila (trustee, 38), and Ronald Racine Sr. (trustee, 43) ran unopposed. Lois Gemignani (39) ran unopposed for Democratic delegate to the county convention.

City of Houghton

In Precinct 1, Joan Antila (68), Jill Burkland (69), Randall Freisinger (63) and Mick Sheridan (60) ran for six Democratic delegate slots for the county convention. In Precinct 2, Dan Becia (231), Brian Irizarry (235), Gretchen Janssen (289), William Keith (228) and Carolyn Peterson (263) ran for five slots.

Laird Township

In the Democratic primary, Patricia Spencer (supervisor, 45) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Robin Henry (clerk, 101), Nicole Krajnak (treasurer, 99), John Juntunen (trustee, 101) and Paul Peterson (constable, 96) ran unopposed.

Osceola Township

In the Democratic primary, Donald Wareham (trustee, 126) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Christa Gardner (clerk, 117) and Aaron Janke (trustee, 122) ran unopposed. Irma Boyd (29) ran unopposed for Republican delegate to the county convention in Precinct 1.

Portage Township

Bruce Petersen (supervisor, 241), ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. He will face Brandon Scholie, who defeated Charles Roberts 186-133 in the Republican primary.

In the Democratic primary, Betsy Smith (treasurer, 237), and Peggy Lee Anderson (trustee, 215), John Ollila (trustee, 217), Amber Voght (trustee, 236) and Keith Wanhaaho (trustee, 203) ran unopposed. Amy Skewes (clerk, 291), trustee candidates Dale Belanger (204), Janelle Datto (231) and Nicholas Lanctot (198) and constable candidates Roy Britz (255) and Robert Laux (205) ran unopposed.

In Precinct 2, Bill Fink (152) and Brian Hoduski (160) were elected Democratic delegate to the county convention seats; Chris Paananen (196) was elected as Republican delegate. In Precinct 4, Phillip Leo Faucher (58), Linda Rulison (64) and Keith Wanhaaho (57) ran for three Democratic delegate slots.

Quincy Township

In the Democratic primary, Chris Kangas (trustee, 13) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Dennis Raasio (supervisor, 23), Beth Helminen (clerk, 22), Cheri Rassio (treasurer, 23) and Michael Galetto (trustee, 23) ran unopposed.

Schoolcraft Township

In the Democratic primary, Robert Wareham (treasurer, 128) and Susan Marcotte (trustee, 128) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Josh Loukus (supervisor, 154), Betty Antilla (clerk, 153) and William Heide (trustee, 151) ran unopposed.

Stanton Township

In the Republican primary, Marty Rajala (supervisor, 140), Kara Heinonen (clerk, 132), Lori Anderson (treasurer, 176) ran unopposed. In the trustee race, Mark Haataja (126) and James Heinonen (120) defeated Melissa Kangas (81).

Torch Lake Township

In the Democratic primary, Brian Cadwell (supervisor, 168), Kathryn Moore (treasurer, 174) and Scott Sapino (trustee, 169) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Lou Ambuehl (clerk, 219) ran unopposed. Mary Raber (73) and Valorie Troesch (84) ran for Democratic delegate seats at the county convention.

Keweenaw County local races

Allouez Township

In the Republican primary, Mark Aho (supervisor, 158), Jesse Patrick (clerk, 152), Julie Newman (treasurer, 161), Kenneth Johnson (trustee, 131) and Robert Tarvis (trustee, 125) ran unopposed.

Eagle Harbor Township

In the Democratic primary, Jeane Olson (clerk, 53) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Rich Probst, Jr. (supervisor, 44), Patty Asselin (treasurer, 42) and Richard Schaefer (trustee, 45) ran unopposed. Cynthia Selfe (50) and Don Keith (39) ran unopposed as Democratic and Republican delegates, respectively, to the county conventions.

Grant Township

In the Democratic primary, Meg Vivian North (supervisor, 60) and Art Davis (trustee, 54) ran unopposed.

Houghton Township

On the Republican ballot, Robby Fischer (supervisor, 17) and Thomas Hall (trustee, 17) ran unopposed.

Ontonagon County

Bergland Township

In the Republican primary, Jack Otlewis defeated David Roberts in the supervisor race 90-53. Christy Franklin (clerk, 124) and Shawna Lundwall (treasurer, 114) ran unopposed. In the Democratic primary, Jerald Wuorenaa (trustee, 36) ran unopposed.

Carp Lake Township

In the Republican primary, Homer Colclasure (supervisor, 85) and Gary Monville (trustee, 81) ran unopposed.

Haight Township

In the Democratic primary, Joseph Pietila (supervisor, 24) and Gerald Mattson (trustee, 25) ran unopposed. On the Republican ballot, Roxy Williams (treasurer, 19) and Doug Williams (trustee, 17) ran unopposed.

Interior Township

In the Democratic primary, Paul Besonen (trustee, 28) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Kris Peltola (trustee, 24) ran unopposed.

Matchwood Township

In the Democratic primary, Neil Wagner (supervisor, 16), Gerald Kitzman (clerk, 19) and Laura Stewart (trustee, 10) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Barbara Powell (trustee, 7) ran unopposed.

Ontonagon Township

In the Republican primary, Dennis O’Brien (283) and Kayln Store (219) defeated Sue Lockhart (116) for two trustee positions. Steve Store (supervisor, 335), Pam Chabot (clerk, 343) and Deborah Miles (treasurer, 328) ran unopposed. Bob Clark (264), Jason Clinesmith (271), Joshua Drew (246), James Miles (275), Bob Rotundo (214), Deborah Slye (239) and Jason Strelow (208) ran for the same number of park commissioner positions.

Bruce Johanson (187) and Violet Kyllonen (196) ran for two Democratic seats as delegate to county convention. Kathy Baird (286) and Teddy Baird (270) ran for the Republican seats.

Rockland Township

In the Democratic primary, Charles Pantti (trustee, 20) ran unopposed. In the Republican primary, Charles Mott (supervisor, 26), Brittany Myllylahti (clerk, 28) and Patricia Mott (treasurer, 26) ran unopposed. Dave Wiesen (23) ran for Republican delegate to the county convention.

Stannard Township

In the Republican primary, William Andrus (supervisor, 64) and Crystal Smith (clerk, 61) ran unopposed. Wilma Casey (47) and Kirk Schott (45) ran for Republican delegate seats to the county convention.

Baraga County millages

Arvon Township

A four-year, 0.6-mill property tax levy to provide funds for the ambulance service and Emergency Medical Technician fund passed 214-23.

A 1-mill, four-year road millage passed 159-76. A 1.5-mill, four-year fire operating and equipment millage passed 175-60.

Baraga Township

A 1.5-mill, four-year millage for ambulance operation and equipment passed 498-79.

Covington Township

A 1-mill, four-year recreational millage passed 76-27. A 1-mill, four-year ambulance millage passed 84-20. A 1-mill, four-year fire millage passed 79-25.

L’Anse Township

A 1-mill, four-year fire millage passed 738-147. A four-year, 1-mill emergency ambulance service millage passed 745 to 144.

Spurr Township

Voters approved a 2.5-mill, seven-year millage for fire protection and emergency management services, and related maintenance, equipment, buildings and operations 101 to 10. Half will go to the Michigamme/Spurr Fire Department and the other half to the Michigamme/Spurr First Responders. Voters approved a 2.25-mill, four-year garbage millage 100 to 11.

The 2-mill, six-year road millage was passed 97 to 14. The .35-mill, five-year cemetery millage passed 88-23.

Houghton County millages

County-wide

Voters approved the allocation of 8 mills of operating millage between the county, townships and Copper Country Intermediate School District 3,803-1,291. The 1.96-mill, seven-year operating millage for the Portage Lake District Library passed 829-287.

Adams Township

For the Adams Township School District, voters approved a $5.9 million, 21-year bond for improvements to school district facilities and purchasing additional technology equipment 230-146. (That total includes 19 voters from Ontonagon County.)

Adams Township voters approved a 1-mill, 20-year road millage 186-80.

Laird Township

Voters approved a 1.4896-mill, seven-year ambulance millage 132-28. The 2-mill, seven-year fire millage passed 124-35. The 1-mill, seven-year road millage passed 119-38.

Quincy Township

Voters approved a 1-mill, four-year operating millage for the township 35-5. The 1-mill, four-year fire millage passed 38-2.

Schoolcraft Township

Voters approved the 1-mill, 10-year road millage 123-45.

Stanton Township

Voters approved the 16.8725-mill, seven-year operating millage for Stanton Township Public Schools 266-101.

Keweenaw County

Voters approved a 0.5-mill, five-year millage for buildings and grounds improvements at the courthouse and jail 385-197. A 2-mill, five-year road millage passed 426-156.

Eagle Harbor Township

The 3-mill, four-year operating millage passed 81-26.

Grant Township

A 4-mill, four-year operating millage passed 79-25. The 2-mill, four-year fire protection millage passed 85-18. For the Grant Township School District, voters approved the 5.35-mill, four-year operating millage 76-27.

Houghton Township

Building Repair Proposal

Voters approved a 1-mill, four-year millage for township building repair and improvements 27-3.

Sherman Township

Voters approved a 5-year, seven-mill township operating millage 21-18.

Ontonagon County millages

County-wide

Voters approved a 1-mill, four-year millage to fund the county transit system 1,367-377..

They also approved separate tax limitations for the county, townships and Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District totalling 7.84 mills 1,287-421. The 0.3-mill, four-year millage for the Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency passed 1,445-298.

The county’s 2-mill, four-year ambulance millage passed (1,482-268. The 2 mills is an increase over the existing 1.25 mills.

Bergland Township

Voters approved a 2-mill, 10-year operating millage 102-83. A 1.5-mill, 10-year road millage passed 113-73. A 0.5-mill, five-year parks and cemetery millage passed 115-70.

Greenland Township

Voters approved a 1-mill, five-year fire millage renewal 129-20. A 2-mill, five-year operating millage passed 109-38.

Haight Township

Voters approved a 0.5-mill, four-year millage to contract with Stannard Township for fire protection and emergency services 51-2.

Interior Township

Voters approved a 0.5-mill, four-year general fund millage 48-15

Matchwood Township

Voters approved a 2-mill, two-year general fund millage 20-17.

McMillan Township

Voters renewed 0.5-mill, four-year millage for the library 111-22, and approved a 0.5-mill, four-year millage increase for the library 84-40.

A 1-mill, four-year fire millage passed 130-4. A 2-mill, four-year street and roads millage renewal passed 115-17, joined by a 0.5-mill, four-year increase that was approved 90-38.

Ontonagon Township

Voters approved a 0.5-mill, 10-year library millage 538-105. A 1-mill, 10-year road millage passed 549-96.