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Coverage from across Michigan and the state Capitol with the Michigan Public Radio Network and Interlochen Public Radio.

Bucking trend, Democrats take two seats on GT Commision

Grand Traverse County

Two Democrats will be joining the Grand Traverse County Commission in January.

The commission has historically been dominated by Republicans.

Bryce Hundley and Betsy Coffia were the two Democratic winners. Coffia says Democrats had a strong showing in races across the county.

"I think you're seeing a community that is really motivated for that change," Coffia says. "It takes a lot of work, but I do believe we're moving in that direction, in a more progressive direction."

Coffia beat incumbent Republican Dan Lathrop in District 1. Hundley unseated Green Party candidate Tom Mair in District 2. Prior to this year, only one Democrat had won a spot on the commission in the last decade.

 

Republicans Brad Jewett, Addison "Sonny" Wheelock (Incumbent), Ron Clous (Incumbent), Gordie LaPointe and Robert Hentschel make up the other five spots on the commission.

Max came to IPR in 2017 as an environmental intern. In 2018, he returned to the station as a reporter and quickly took on leadership roles as Interim News Director and eventually Assignment Editor. Before joining IPR, Max worked as a news director and reporter at Michigan State University's student radio station WDBM. In 2018, he reported on a Title IX dispute with MSU in his story "Prompt, Thorough and Impartial." His work has also been heard on Michigan Radio, WDBM and WKAR in East Lansing and NPR.