TRAVERSE CITY — There won't be a new sheriff in town.
Incumbent Grand Traverse Sheriff Tom Bensley, a Republican, was on track to beat Democratic challenger Joe McCarthy by a wide margin late Tuesday.
"I'm thankful for the support," Bensley said. "We ran a very straightforward, positive campaign."
Bensley handily defeated two-term incumbent Sheriff Scott Fewins in 2008, and fended off challenger Kevin Sandvig in the August primary.
McCarthy, a Traverse City Police detective, couldn't be reached for comment.
Bensley believes county residents were pleased with his first term.
"Hopefully, they saw that there's been some changes in the sheriff's department and that we've been working to improve it," he said.
Blair Township resident Jake Jorns cast his vote for Bensley.
"It seems like he's forthright, is very knowledgeable at what he does, and he's proactive in the community," he said. "He's done a good job."
Election 2012
Related Photos
-
Tom Bensley
Bensley holds onto GT sheriff's post
'We ran a very straightforward, positive campaign'
-
-
Funding issues leave Division's fate unknown
Fixing the crowded and sometimes dangerous Division Street traffic corridor will take years and no one knows yet how the project will be funded, Michigan's top transportation official said.
Continued ... -
McDowell concedes race to Benishek
Democrat Gary McDowell has conceded his close race for Congress against Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek to serve northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Continued ... -
Unofficial Antrim voting totals online
Antrim County unofficial voting totals were still being updated on Wednesday, but are now accurate and complete, said election officials there.
Continued ... -
State election results online
Full, unofficial 2012 Michigan General Election Results can be found online at http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/12GEN/.
Continued ... -
Voters were driven by issues
Aside from the customary elation and disappointment following a presidential campaign, area voters said they'd really like to see politicians spend less and solve more.
Continued ... -
School millage failure puts plans in limbo
Many improvement plans at the region's largest school district are in limbo after voters rejected a $100 million tax increase.
Continued ... -
Recount possible in House race
Michigan's 1st Congressional District may go to a recount to determine if incumbent Republican Dan Benishek's victory will hold.
Continued ... -
Franz wins by 1,030 votes
Voters in Benzie and Leelanau counties played a critical role in reelecting conservative Republican Ray Franz to the Michigan House of Representatives, vote tallies show.
Continued ... -
Weaver, Bishop claim open seats on NMC board
The second time for Kennard Weaver was the charm.
Continued ... -
MacMaster easily wins reelection
Republican Greg MacMaster handily defeated Democratic opponent William Wieske in the race for state representative in Michigan's 105th District.
Continued ... -
General election roundup
Editor's note: Final, unofficial results from the Nov. 6 general election.
Continued ... - Wednesday, November 7, 2012
-
McDowell hasn't conceded congressional race
Former state Rep. Gary McDowell has not conceded his race for the 1st Congressional District and will wait for county boards of canvassers to certify election results before determining his next step.
Continued ... -
Weaver wins spot on NMC board
Kennard Weaver ousted a long-time trustee on the board of Northwestern Michigan College to claim one of two openings.
Continued ... -
GT County Commission all Republican now
The lone Democrat on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners is out of a job.
Continued ... -
Benishek won by less than 1 percent
Incumbent Republican Dan Benishek edged Democratic challenger Gary McDowell by less than 1 percent to win a second term representing the 1st Congressional District.
Continued ... -
Rendon takes 103rd state House seat
Campaign staffers for newcomer Democrat Lon Johnson has said that he lost his bid for the 103rd State House District seat to incumbent Lake City businessman and Republican Bruce R. Rendon.
Continued ... -
Voters appear to favor Division Street plan
City voters appeared to favor a proposal to give the state and city the go-ahead to come up with plans to make dangerous, busy Division Street safer for drivers and pedestrians.
Continued ... -
Grand Traverse, Benzie voters pick probate judges
Two local counties will have new probate judges.
Continued ... -
Three-way race for NMC trustees still open
A three-way race for two seats on the Northwestern College Board was too close to call at press time.
Continued ... -
2 incumbents retain seats on Leelanau County board
Two incumbents on the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners won re-election.
Continued ... -
County board incumbents hold leads
Voters likely will return three incumbents to the Grand Traverse County board and a fourth race was too close to call early today.
Continued ... -
Dems look to narrow gap in House
All 110 seats in the Michigan House were up for grabs Tuesday, with Democrats looking to narrow the gap with the Republican majority that took over of the chamber just two years ago.
Continued ... -
Appel wins TCAPS board seat
Gary Appel appeared to cruise to re-election to the Traverse School Board.
Continued ... -
Franz ahead in 101st District of Michigan House
Republican Ray Franz held a lead against his Democratic opponent in the race for the Michigan House of Representatives' 101st District.
Continued ... -
Michigan shoots down propositions
Michigan voters say they don't need to weigh in on whether new bridges or tunnels are built between their state and Canada.
Continued ...
-
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
