News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A long line of voters wait to cast ballots at the APlex in Alpena’s Precinct 1 in a hotly contested election on Tuesday.

ALPENA — A pair of Republican candidates for the Legislature appeared poised to hold on to their seats during Tuesday’s election, according to early, unofficial results.

State Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, and state Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, held off their Democratic challengers and will continue to represent their districts in Lansing.

THE 106TH

The race for the 106th state House seat, covering Alpena, Presque Isle, Alcona and Iosco counties and part of Cheboygan County, was expected to be a close one, but early results showed Allor with a large lead over Democrat Lora Greene and poised to win a second two-year term. Tallies calculated by the New York Times showed Allor leading Greene 61 percent to 39 percent, with most precincts reporting.

Allor said she is honored her constituents believe she has done a good enough job to continue serving and is committed to continuing to lead in Lansing to improve education, streets and the battle against contamination from perfluorinated alkylated substances, or PFAS.

“I’m excited and looking forward to a second term. Now I have two years of experience and knowledge and I can use that more effectively,” Allor said Tuesday night. “I have a better understanding of the process and I’m excited to be able to do more.”

Allor is about to wrap-up her first term after defeating Democrat Robert Kennedy in 2016. She was unopposed in the primary election, while Greene, a political newcomer, moved on after defeating John Norton III by a large margin in August.

36TH SENATE

Stamas is a mainstay in state government and cruised to an easy win over Democrat Joe Weir in the 36th state Senate District covering Alpena, Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alcona, Otsego, Oscoda, Iosco, Arenac, Gladwin and Midland counties.

Stamas’ strong ties to Northeast Michigan helped him cruise to victory, with the Times showing him leading Democrat Joe Weir 64 percent to 36 percent, with most precincts reporting.

Stamas said a lot of progress has been made over the last eight years, and he looks forward to working with Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, who won the governorship Tuesday over Republican Bill Schuette, to help keep the momentum going.

“I’m humbled with the strong support I received and I will continue to fight for jobs and education and to help businesses that create the jobs for the people,” Stamas said late Tuesday. “I hope the new governor is willing to come to Lansing and make sure Michigan continues to move forward like it has for the last eight years.”

The victory over Weir ensures Stamas a second term after he was a state rep for many years. Weir opposed him because he beleived Stamas failed to address many issues in his district.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.