Evans Claims Victory Over Ficano, Wild For Wayne Co. Executive; Lawrence Takes Tight 14th District Race
DETROIT (WWJ) - Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano failed to win renomination in Tuesday's primary, with former Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans claiming victory.
"We never lost focus about what we were doing," said Evans. "There was a phrase that came to mind - just a couple of weeks ago as we were going through the negativity and trying to stay on point and the saying was, 'winners concentrate on winning and losers concentrate on winners.'"
Unofficial results show Evans with 44 percent. Westland Mayor Bill Wild had 26 percent and Ficano had 6 percent, putting him fifth in a field of 11 candidates.
Ficano refused to concede late into the night. His 32-year political career coming to an end, Ficano went into a back room shortly after 11 p.m. and his staff announced that he would not be speaking again, WWJ's Sandra McNeill reported.
Supporters like Hal Highwig began the night with high hopes for an incumbent victory. Highwig said he thought Ficano would win and attributed much of the lose to low voter turnout.
The Democratic primary to replace U.S. Rep. Gary Peters in the 14th Congressional District was a nail biter, but Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence eked out a win over State Senator Rudy Hobbs. Former U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke and Burgess Foster also lost in the race.
Lawrence's margin of victory was only about 2,000 votes. She will face off against Republican Christine Conyers in the November general election.
Millage increases for several public school districts have been approved including Plymouth-Canton, Trenton, Lincoln Park and Harper Woods.
Public safety improvements have passed in Northville Township and Grosse Ile.
Woodhaven, Grosse Pointe Park and Grosse Pointe Woods have approved millages to improve roads.
In Macomb County, in the race for the right to take on Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Republican David Novak was the winner.
Also, in Eastpointe and Mount Clemens residents voted to support millage increases.
Now that Prop 1 has passed supporters say Michigan should become more competitive and see more economic development. Brad Williams, Vice-President of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber says the Proposal will benefit both communities and businesses.
"We were just gratified to see that we were able to reduce this double taxation on businesses," said Williams. "At the same time, creating a stable funding mechanism for local units of government who are providing the services that not only the residents in these community expect and deserve but also the businesses. So we think this is a win-win for everybody."
Williams says Prop 1 will also lead to the creation of 15,000 new jobs within the state.
Bloomfield Township, Brandon Township, Lyon Township are among communities that have approved a millage to enhance police and fire services.
Library services will be improved in Oxford Township, Walled Lake and White Lake Township.
Millages for parks and recreation funds are approved in Waterford, Commerce Township and Clawson.
Hazel Park and Oak Park have become to the 10th and 11th cities in Michigan to legalize small amounts of marijuana.
Check the results to date at the links below:
Conyers, Dingell, Trott Win Primary Races; More Election Coverage
