Jack Bergman

ALPENA — Republicans will continue to represent Northeast Michigan on the state and federal level after Tuesday’s election, as they held solid leads early Wednesday morning.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, defeated Democratic challenger Bob Lorinser, of Marquette. As of the early morning hours on Wednesday, Bergman had 63% of the vote to 34% for Lorinser, with 91% of votes counted, according to the Associated Press. Libertarian Andrew Gale and Liz Hakola, of the Working Class Party, had 1% each.

The victory earned Bergman a fourth term in Congress representing Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, which covers northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the people of northern Michigan and the U.P. for reelecting me to serve as your congressman,” Bergman said. “We saw a massive outpouring of support for our message of faith, freedom, and conservative principles tonight. It’s time to get back to work.”

The region will have a pair of new representatives in Lansing, as incumbent state Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine, and state Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, are term-limited.

Michele Hoitenga, a Republican from Manton, defeated Democrat Joel Sheltrown, of Edwards Township, for the 36th state Senate District. In the early morning hours Wednesday, Hoitenga led Sheltrown, 66% to 34%, with 92% of the votes counted, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Hoitenga said it is time to put campaigning and the election in the rearview mirror and get back to business.

“I’m humbled by the outpouring of support I’ve received and genuinely enjoyed meeting the good folks across our new Senate district,” she said. “I’m ready to move forward, past campaign mode, and focus on bringing forth solutions to the issues impacting our region. We’ve got work to do and I’m ready to serve.”

Cam Cavitt, a Republican from Mullett Township, cruised past Democrat Marie Fielder, of Alpena, garnering 65% of the vote as of early Wednesday morning, compared to 35% for Fielder, with 92% of votes counted, for a seat representing the 106th state House District.

Cavitt said he is motivated to listen to and act on behalf of his new constituents.

“The people of the 106th District were heard loud and clear tonight, and I’m honored to serve as the next representative of the 106th District,” he said. “I’m energized to bring common-sense conservative leadership to Lansing, and return to the ideals that our country was founded on and will make our communities safe and prosperous. I look forward to helping rebuild our economy, protect our families, and bring principled leadership back to Lansing as your next state representative.”

In the 36th state Senate District race, both candidates have experience in state government, as Hoitenga represented the 102nd state House District for three terms and Sheltrown represented the 103rd state House District from 2004 until 2010. Both are pro-life and support Enbridge Inc.’s Line 5 oil and natural gas pipeline tunnel project through the Straits of Mackinac.

In the 106th state House District race, Cavitt is the drain commissioner for Cheboygan County. He said he believes Northeast Michigan has a brighter future and pledged to protect its way of life, people’s liberty, and the area’s natural resources.

Fielder, who described herself as a moderate Democrat, said she is tired of Northeast Michigan not having a loud enough voice in Lansing. She said she has a good grasp on which issues are important to people in the region and pledged to fight for them in the state Capitol and make sure their voices are heard.

Hoitenga said she has learned a lot during her time in the state House and she’s ready to take the next step. She said her number-one priority is to speak on behalf of the people in her district and fight for and against the issues that impact them.

Bergman said before the election that he supports providing weapons and money to Ukraine and promises to work to drive down inflation and help lower gas prices. He said that, if his fellow Republicans win a majority in the U.S. House, he is not in favor of trying to impeach President Joe Biden because he said there are more important issues to address, such as the economy, than wasting time and money on impeachment.

Lorinser said he also believes the U.S. and other nations around the globe need to continue to support the war effort in Ukraine. He said Russia’s actions present a danger to the world, but did not rule out U.S. forces on the ground, and vowed to help solve supply chain issues that are impacting supply and demand in the United States.

The three winners will begin their terms after Jan. 1.