This election year 2022 is a very important one for Antrim County. We asked the candidates for Antrim County Commissioner to answer several important questions about the issues that we are facing in this area. Their response are linked below.

Not only are there many important issues that the county is facing, the county has been redistricted down to five Commissioners from the current nine. Therefore, in a few instances, incumbents are running against each other in some closely contested races. 

Some of these races will be decided in the August 2^nd primary, others in the November general election.

You can find responses from the candidates for Antrim County Commissioner at the following links:

2022 Antrim County Commissioner Race: Pero vs Hefferan District #1 (Milton and Elk Rapids townships)

2022 Rubingh vs Zelenak vs Kuiper District #2 (Banks, Central Lake, and Torch Lake townships)

2022 VanAlstine vs Goldenberg District #3 (Kearney, Forest Home and Helena Townships as well as a small part of Custer Township)

2022 Ricksgers vs Helwig District #4 (most of Custer and the western half of Mancelona Township)

2022 LaVanway vs Marcus District #5 (Echo, Jordan, Warner, Chestonia, Star Townships, and the eastern half of Mancelona Township)

There is a Facebook Page called Concerned Citizens of Antrim County which allows any resident to post and comment on information about these candidates, or any county issues.  You can also see the incumbents in action at the County Commissioner meetings, which are broadcast on Facebook.

The county is currently facing a lawsuit filed by controversial radio host Randy Bishop over the 2020 election mishap. For some reason, Bishop sued every elected official in the county, even those who have no control over elections. Several of the Commissioners are connected to Bishop through various Republican groups, but only one of them had anything nice to say about him.

Last but not least, there are several county building projects that will be debated in this next term, including a new jail. That was one of the important questions that we asked many of the candidates, who hold different opinions on the scope of the project and how it should be funded.

In conclusion, it’s important that voters educate themselves on the county issues, and the stances that each candidate takes on these issues. See you at the polls!