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2026 Primary Election results part 2: El-Sayed wins Democratic Senate nomination, incumbent Steve Carra advances
El-Sayed narrowly won the Democratic nomination, receiving 48.48% of the vote (740,950 votes), while Stevens received 47.51% (726,057 votes). Former candidate Mallory McMorrow, who withdrew from the race in early July, still received more than 50,000 votes. While some votes are still being counted across the state, the Associated Press has called the race for El-Sayed.
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Watershed Voice is an independent, nonprofit civic news magazine based in Three Rivers, Michigan. We seek to highlight solutions to your pressing concerns in an effort to make our community a better place.
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2026 Primary Election results: Haigh, Hoeppner advance in Three Rivers second district commissioner race
In the Three Rivers City Commission Second District primary, Josh Hoeppner received the most votes, receiving 43.29% of the vote (410 votes). Incumbent Steven Haigh finished second, with 33.79% of the vote (320 votes). The two advance to November’s general election, where they will face-off head-to-head.
Three Rivers Commission begins Habitat for Humanity project, receives update on ‘Biggby lot’
City Attorney TJ Reed provided commissioners with an update on the long-running enforcement case involving the parking lot at 209 U.S. 131, commonly known as “the Biggby lot.”
Reed said the process could take at least six months because the city’s enforcement options must proceed through the courts.
Polls open for Michigan’s primary election, a final reminder
Primary Election Day has arrived in Michigan with voters across St. Joseph, Cass, and Kalamazoo counties heading to the polls Tuesday to choose party nominees for statewide office, narrow down local races ahead of the November general election, and for some, decide on millages.
Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Any voter in line by 8 p.m. is entitled to cast a ballot.
Everything you need to know before Tuesday’s primary election
For those planning to vote early this weekend or head to the polls Tuesday, Watershed Voice has assembled this final election guide. Below you’ll find links to every candidate questionnaire we published, summaries of the local races we covered, an overview of the major statewide contests, information on local ballot proposals, and everything you need to know before casting your ballot.
Staff writer reporting live from Philadelphia
Watershed Voice staff writer Maxwell Knauer writes how journalism brought him to Southwest Michigan, love now has him living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his commitment to both will mean working remotely for Watershed Voice going forward.
“The reality is that much of modern reporting already happens from wherever your laptop is. Interviews happen over the phone or Zoom, government meetings are — sometimes — streamed online, and public records are requested electronically.
“When a story requires someone on the ground, Watershed Voice will still be there. We’re still based in Three Rivers. Founder and editor-in-chief, Alek Haak-Frost, and our office manager, Steph Hightree, remain there, and our board members are spread throughout southwest Michigan. We’ll continue showing up where it matters and telling the stories when they happen.”
Candidate questionnaire: Mike Jones
Mike Jones, Michigan Senate District 17 Democratic primary candidate filled out our questionnaire, below are his answers.
