In a significant political shift, the recent primary election in Ottawa County, Michigan, has reshaped the local Republican landscape. This fast-growing community of nearly 300,000 residents, known for its conservative leanings and picturesque Lake Michigan shoreline, has been grappling with intense political divisions over the past two years.
The primary results indicate a potential move away from the hard-line Republican control established in 2022. Moderate candidates generally performed better, signaling voters' possible fatigue with divisive politics that had dominated county affairs.
Jim Barry, a 69-year-old real estate agent running for the county board, exemplified the moderate approach. Barry, who describes himself as a Republican in the mold of former President Gerald Ford, focused his campaign on local issues such as water quality and affordable housing. He secured 63% of the vote, defeating his opponent Gretchen Cosby, who had been inspired by false claims of election fraud in 2020.
"It's not as exciting as trying to do something about transgender athletes in high school sports. But there's no purview for the county board of commissioners in that."
On the other side, hard-line Republican Rachel Atwood, part of the Ottawa Impact group, campaigned on addressing what she perceived as threats to children's well-being from government and pro-LGBTQ+ liberals. Despite her efforts, Atwood lost her primary race.
The election results dealt a significant blow to Ottawa Impact, which had previously controlled eight of the eleven board seats. After this primary, they are projected to retain at most four seats.
Joe Moss, Ottawa Impact's co-founder and county board chair, won his primary but saw his movement's influence diminish. Moss vowed to maintain his stance, stating, "The majority does not dictate morality."
In the aftermath of the election, Justin Roebuck, Ottawa County's clerk and a self-described conservative Republican, organized a "unity" party. The gathering brought together various factions of the local Republican Party, emphasizing shared values such as limited government and fiscal restraint.
As Ottawa County prepares for the new board members to be sworn in come January 2025, there's a cautious optimism for a less contentious political environment. Barry expressed hope for cooperation, saying, "Nobody was conquered last night. We all live here. We're all neighbors."
This primary election in Ottawa County, part of the Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon metropolitan area, may serve as a microcosm of broader political shifts. As the county, known for its beaches, agricultural prowess in blueberry production, and rich Dutch-American heritage, moves forward, the challenge remains to balance its conservative roots with a desire for less divisive local governance.