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EASTPOINTE/ROSEVILLE — In a state Senate primary that featured two well-known Eastpointe politicians Aug. 2, current Macomb County Commissioner Veronica Klinefelt won the Democratic Party nomination over current Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens.
Klinefelt and Owens were competing in the 11th District of the state Senate.
Klinefelt, who has served as a Macomb County commissioner for 10 years and also served on Eastpointe’s City Council for eight years and the then-East Detroit school board for six years, bested Owens by receiving 13,418 votes between Macomb and Wayne counties. Owens received 8,056 votes between the two counties.
Klinefelt has resided in Eastpointe for 30 years. She previously told C & G News that, if elected, she would work toward providing “strong school districts and safe, clean neighborhoods.” She also said she would invest in infrastructure and training to attract more businesses.
“I am grateful to be chosen by the voters to be the Democratic nominee of the 11th State Senate District and I am wasting no time getting back on the campaign trail,” Klinefelt said in an email. “Going door-to-door, I’m gaining a lot of insight from residents and I look forward to taking their priorities to Lansing.”
Owens did not return a request for comment.
Mike MacDonald ran unopposed for the Republican nomination in the 11th District.
“Even though I was running without an opponent for my party’s nomination, I am honored that so many residents of Clinton Township, Macomb Township, Eastpointe, Fraser, Roseville and Detroit turned out and voted for me,” he said in a prepared statement.
The 11th Senate District covers Eastpointe, Roseville and Fraser, and parts of Clinton Township, Macomb Township and Detroit.
Meanwhile, in the race for the 12th District state House seat, Richard Steenland fell to Kimberly Edwards in the Democratic Party primary. While he received more votes in Macomb County, Edwards bested him in votes in Wayne County, knocking him out of the running.
Steenland has been serving as an elected official for Roseville for approximately 30 years. He has been a state representative since January 2021. Previously he served as Roseville’s city clerk from 2007 until 2020, and was on Roseville’s City Council from 1993 to 2007. He also served two years as Roseville’s mayor pro tem, from 2005 until 2007.
In Macomb County, Steenland received 3,400 votes, or 53.1%, while Edwards received 3,009 votes, or 46.9%. In Wayne County, Edwards received 853 votes, or 82.18%, and Steenland received 175 votes, or 16.86%.
Diane Saber ran unopposed in the Republican Party primary.
Edwards, Steenland and Saber did not return requests for comment.
Michigan’s 12th District in the state House of Representatives includes Eastpointe and Roseville, and part of Detroit.
In terms of other primaries that were on voters’ ballots in the Eastsider’s coverage area, Republican Tudor Dixon won the Republican Party nomination for governor and will face off with Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, who was uncontested in the primary, in November; Democrat Carl Marlinga and Republican John James won their primaries to compete for the 10th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in November; Republican Alicia St. Germaine won the Republican primary and will face Michael Brooks, who was uncontested in the Democratic primary, for the 62nd District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives; Democrat Sarah Ann Lucido and Republican Randell J. Shafer won their primaries for the 13 District County Commission seat. Democrat Harold L. Haugh and Republican Adam Shane Pelt were uncontested in the primary and will compete in the general election for the 10th District County Commission seat. Democrat Mark A. Hackel and Republican Nicholyn Brandenburg likewise did not have primary competition as they seek the office of Macomb County executive in November.
