Voters narrow mayoral race to 2 candidates, approve all 3 proposals

Voting in Michigan’s state primary election closed last night, with most precincts reporting results by early Wednesday morning. 

The election narrows down packed mayoral and city commissioner races in Grand Rapids. The two highest vote-getters in each race will appear on November’s ballot.

Here are the results of the Grand Rapids-related races and proposals.

Mayoral 

Four candidates were running to replace Grand Rapids mayor Rosalynn Bliss, whose term is ending at the end of this year.

David LaGrand, a local business owner and former state representative, and Senita Lenear, a former city commissioner, will move onto the November runoff election.

David LaGrand — 59.8% (18,282)

Senita Lenear — 20.06% (6,134)

Steven Owens — 13.73% (4,198)

Hailey Lynch-Bastion — 6.05% (1,850)

First Ward

Four candidates were running to replace First Ward Commissioner Jon O’Connor on the Grand Rapids City Commission in the upcoming election. Commissioner O’Connor was first elected in 2015 and again in 2019. Due to term limits, he is unable to seek reelection in 2024.

Dean Pacific, an attorney, and AliciaMarie Belchak, a volunteer and West Grand Neighborhood Organization board member, will move onto the November runoff election. 

Dean Pacific —36.77% (2,912)

AliciaMarie Belchak — 30.72% (2,433)

Melanie Droski — 23.97% (1,898)

Mike Fassbender — 7.88% (624)

Third Ward

Six candidates were running for a seat representing the Third Ward on the Grand Rapids City Commission. 

The seat is currently held by Third Ward Commissioner Bing Goei, who is running for reelection. Goei was appointed to the position in March to replace former Commissioner Nathaniel Moody, who resigned in December 2023. 

Goei and Marshall Kilgore, the director of engagement for the West Michigan Environmental Council, will move onto the November runoff election. 

Bing Goei — 29.92% (3,113)

Marshall Kilgore — 27.88% (2,901)

John Krajewski — 25.38% (2,641)

Reggie Howard — 8.58% (893)

Joyce Priscilla Gipson — 5.8% (604)

Al Willis — 2.08% (216)

Hotel tax proposal
Result: passed

Voters passed a ballot proposal that will increase the hotel excise tax from 5% to 8%. The tax will be used to help finance the Acrisure Amphitheater, as well as other proposed public projects, like a soccer stadium and aquarium.

53.6% of voters — 65,909 in total — voted in favor of the proposal.

Early childhood millage
Result: passed

Voters renewed a millage for programs that aim to support the health and education of children in Kent County under five years old.

Voters passed the five-year renewal of the county’s Ready by 5 millage by 59% — 70,313 voters in total. 

Kent District Library millage
Result: passed

Voters also approved a one-year renewal of the Kent District Library millage for 2025. It will give the branch $27.6 million over the year, according to KDL.

The renewal passed by 66.26% of voters — 59,321 people in total.