Incumbents Win Ann Arbor Dem Primaries

Winners: Ward 2 – Rapundalo; Ward 3 – Kunselman; Ward 5 – Anglin

Based on unofficial vote totals from all precincts, incumbents in three Ann Arbor city wards have won the Democratic Party’s nomination for city council representative, and they will appear on the ballot in November.

2011 City Map Dem Primary

Ward maps showing incumbents relative strength across precincts. The circles represent results of the absent voter count boards for each ward. (Image links to higher resolution file.)

In Ward 2, Stephen Rapundalo received 57% of the vote: 573 votes, compared with Tim Hull’s 420.

In Ward 3, Stephen Kunselman received 59% of the vote: 637 votes, compared to 389 for Ingrid Ault and 55 for Marwan Issa.

And in Ward 5, Mike Anglin received 66% of the votes: 1,088 votes, compared with Neal Elyakin’s 562.

Turnout was down in every ward compared to previous odd-year Democratic primaries. In Ward 2 only 6.39% of registered voters turned in a ballot. In Ward 3, only 8.84% of those who are registered actually voted. And in Ward 5, registered voters had a turnout of only 8.71%.

In the city’s other two wards, no Democratic primary was contested. No ward had a contested Republican primary.

In Ward 2, for the Nov. 8, 2011 general election, Rapundalo does not currently face a challenger. The deadline for an independent candidate to file is Aug. 15.

In Ward 3, Kunselman’s name will appear on the ballot along with Republican David Parker. In Ward 5, Mike Anglin will face Republican Stuart Berry.

In Ward 4, which did not require a primary election, incumbent Democrat Marcia Higgins will face Republican Eric Scheie in November. In Ward 1, incumbent Democrat Sabra Briere faced no primary challenger and will face no challenger on the ballot in November unless an independent files qualifying petitions by Aug. 15.

Ward 2: Rapundalo

Percentage-wise, Tim Hull had the strongest showing of challengers in the three contested wards, with 43% of the vote in Ward 2. Hull managed to carry precinct 2-5, with two-thirds of the vote. That precinct is home to Huron Hills golf course. Hull’s strong showing there suggests that voters may still be skeptical of Rapundalo’s commitment to preserving Huron Hills as a golf course.

For a table of results in Ward 2 by precinct, visit the Washtenaw County clerk’s website. Map A below shows Rapundalo’s relative strength by precinct. A darker (or “brighter”) shade of green indicates a higher percentage of the vote. Lighter (or “dimmer”) shades indicate a lower percentage of votes received by Rapundalo. The map shows that Rapundalo was strongest in the northern two precincts of the ward, which is consistent with his showing in past elections.

The circle indicates Rapundalo’s relative strength in the absent voter count boards, which were tallied separately from all in-person ballots. [Google Map of Ward 2 2011 Democratic Primary Results]

Ward 2 2011 Dmocrat

Map A. Ward 2 2011 Democratic primary results. The pushpin indicates Rapundalo's home. (Image links to higher resolution file.)

For a look at Rapundalo’s historical performance in Ward 2 city council races, see Chronicle coverage: “Ann Arbor Elections Past: Voting Patterns.”

Turnout in the last contested Democratic primary – a 2005 race between Rapundalo and Eugene Kang – was 7.35% (1,251 of 17,028 registered voters), compared with 6.39% this year (997 of 15,611 registered voters).

Rapundalo will be unopposed on the November ballot for Ward 2, unless an independent files by the Aug. 15 deadline.

Ward 3: Kunselman

In the Ward 3, three-way race, challenger Marwan Issa’s 5% of the total had relatively little impact on the overall outcome. That meant that Stephen Kunselman was able to record the largest statistical victory in his city council election career. His 59% gave him a majority of votes for the first time. In his previous two three-way race victories, the relatively even strength of the field had resulted in a victory for Kunselman, but with less than 50% of the vote.

For a table of results in Ward 3 by precinct, visit the Washtenaw County clerk’s website. Map B below shows Kunselman’s relative strength by precinct. A darker (or “brighter”) shade of purple indicates a higher percentage of the vote. Lighter (or “dimmer”) shades indicate a lower percentage of votes received by Kunselman.

The map shows that Kunselman was strong in every precinct of the ward, except for 3-3, which challenger Ingrid Ault was able to carry. That  is consistent with Kunselman’s showing in past elections.

The circle indicates Kunselman’s relative strength in the absent voter count boards, which were tallied separately from all in-person ballots. [ Google Map of Ward 3 2011 Democratic primary results]

Ward 3 2011 Dems

Map B. Ward 3 2011 Democratic primary results. The pushpin indicates Kunselman's home. (Image links to higher resolution file)

For a look at Kunselman’s historical performance in Ward 3 city council races, see Chronicle coverage: “Ann Arbor Elections Past: Voting Patterns.”

Turnout in the last contested Democratic primary – the 2009 race between Kunselman, LuAnne Bullington and Leigh Greden – was 11.70% (1,415 of 12,093 registered voters), compared with 8.84% this year (1,081 of 12,223 registered voters).

Kunselman will face Republican David Parker on the November ballot for Ward 3.

Ward 5: Anglin

Mike Anglin was the strongest of the incumbents in the three wards, with 66% of the vote.

For a table of results in Ward 5 by precinct, visit the Washtenaw County clerk’s website. Map C below shows Anglin’s relative strength by precinct. A darker (or “brighter”) shade of blue indicates a higher percentage of the vote. Lighter (or “dimmer”) shades indicate a lower percentage of votes received by Anglin.

The map shows that Anglin was strong in every precinct of the ward, except for 5-7, which challenger Neal Elyakin was able to carry with 62.1% of the vote. That margin was diluted by the fact that only 29 people voted in the precinct. Anglin’s performance in 5-7 has shown an interesting pattern. In 2007, it was one of his weakest precincts, flipping to one of his strongest in 2009, and back to his weakest precinct in this year’s contest.

The circle indicates Anglin’s relative strength in the absent voter count boards, which were tallied separately from all in-person ballots. [Google Map of Ward 5 2011 Democratic primary results]

Ward 5 2011 Dems Primary

Map C. Ward 5 2011 Democratic primary results. The pushpin indicates the location of Anglin's home. (Image links to higher resolution file)

For a look at Anglin’s historical performance in Ward 5 city council races, see Chronicle coverage: “Ann Arbor Elections Past: Voting Patterns.”

Turnout in the last contested Democratic primary, the 2009 race between Anglin and Scott Rosencrans, was 10.84% (2010 of 18,538 registered voters), compared with 8.71% this year (1,652 of 18,963 registered voters).

Anglin will face Republican Stuart Berry on the November ballot for Ward 5.

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16 Comments

  1. By Mark Koroi
    August 3, 2011 at 12:09 pm | permalink

    Tim Hull had a surprisingly good showing considering he had little name recognition or experience in elected public office as well as very little campaign funding.

  2. By D.P. O'Connell
    August 3, 2011 at 5:56 pm | permalink

    Let’s hope given Tim Hull’s good showing that some noble soul steps up in Ward 2 by the August 15th deadline.

  3. August 6, 2011 at 2:23 pm | permalink

    Jane Lumm, former Council member, may be that noble soul. According to the Civic News Ticker, she has taken out petitions. If she runs, she would be another independent voice on Council. She would resist the kind of “funny money” accounting we have been suffering with the past few years.

    Since she would be running as a candidate with “No Party Affiliation”, her former membership in the Party of Evil would probably not be a handicap.

  4. By Alan Goldsmith
    August 7, 2011 at 9:56 am | permalink

    “Since she would be running as a candidate with “No Party Affiliation”, her former membership in the Party of Evil would probably not be a handicap.”

    As opposed to active supporters and contributors to the “Party of Evil” wearing a Democratic Party Halloween masks currently on Council?

  5. August 7, 2011 at 11:10 am | permalink

    I feel sorry for moderate Republicans, whose party has been taken over in many cases by the crazies. I worked with Jane in the past (Solid Waste Commission) and I know her to be a dedicated, studious person with an abiding interest in the well-being of our city and a person who plays by the rules.

    We have disagreed in the past about certain issues, but that is true of even my best friends on council. Jane is progressive on social issues and has been involved with affordable housing (LISC) and parks questions in recent years. As a former Republican council member, she is obviously also concerned with fiscal stability. She would bring a truly different voice onto Council and I’m absolutely positive that she would never be evil.

    I haven’t spoken with Jane about her potential candidacy and these are all my own thoughts.

  6. By Tom Wieder
    August 7, 2011 at 2:39 pm | permalink

    I’m happy to report that Jane Lumm has decided to run, and that I am supporting her and helping her, the first time in my life that I’ve worked for anyone other than a Democrat. If anyone who is a registered voter in the second ward would like to sign Jane’s petition to get on the ballot, or circulate one, please call me at 645-4758. We need at least 100 valid signatures by Wednesday at 5:00 pm.

  7. August 7, 2011 at 2:59 pm | permalink

    Re: [3] The link to the Civic News Ticker item is here: [link]

    In light of [6], the pertinent part of the News Ticker item reduces, I think, to this:

    Incumbent Stephen Rapundalo is already on the ballot to represent Ward 2 on the Ann Arbor city council, having won his Democratic primary on Tuesday against challenger Tim Hull.

    Lumm previously served on the city council from 1993-98, winning election as a Republican. During that span she served with a fellow Republican in the other seat for Ward 2 – first Peter Fink and then David Kwan.

    In 2004, Lumm ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Ann Arbor as a Republican. That much she has in common with Rapundalo, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor as a Republican in 2000. Rapundalo switched parties in 2005, winning his first term to represent Ward 2 in the November 2005 general election against Republican Tom Bourque.

  8. By Peter Zetlin
    August 7, 2011 at 3:28 pm | permalink

    That’s great that Jane Lumm will run. Stephen Rapundalo got 573 votes and Tim Hull 420. Not that big a gap.

    It should be possible to run a strong campaign against Mr. Rapundalo. His rather famous work on the Library Lot Advisory Committee, his lackluster results as chair of the Labor Commmittee, and, for a lot of 2nd ward voters, his taking the wrong side when he voted to re-purpose Huron Hills Golf Course– his record could work against him. Hopefully, these issues will get some attention in the campaign.

    I’d like to see changes on council, and Ms. Lumm would be welcome.

  9. August 7, 2011 at 3:33 pm | permalink

    Re (6), I think of Tom Wieder as “Mr. Democrat”. I too am a lifelong Democrat – I was even the president of a Democratic club in San Diego County, and as the chair of the 2nd ward Ann Arbor Democratic party in the early 90s, I probably recruited people to run against Jane. (Mists of time, etc.)

    It has become clear in recent years that ordinary partisan labels no longer describe what we can expect from our council members. There may be a solid unanimity of Democrats on council but there are certainly many differing policy positions held by one bloc or another. In the absence of useful partisan labels, it makes sense that an Independent can run for council and be supported by people from both major national parties.

  10. By Ruth Kraut
    August 7, 2011 at 6:32 pm | permalink

    I came back from vacation–and to the election results. And though it might not seem like it, since all of the incumbents won, I was super happy to have a choice of two good candidates in my ward (both of whom ran a serious, cordial and informative race), and I wish that all of our city council elections were contested.

  11. August 7, 2011 at 6:45 pm | permalink

    Congrats to Lumm for being willing to run!

    Tom, are the petitions due at 5:00 or 4:00? I remember some kinds of filings have to be made at 4:00.

  12. By Alan Goldsmith
    August 11, 2011 at 8:21 am | permalink

    Does Lumm have a campaign website?

  13. By Jack Eaton
    August 11, 2011 at 2:39 pm | permalink

    Re [12], Alan, keep an eye on the Neighborhood Alliance election page: [link]

    We will link to her site as soon as she has one. We will also post a link to the incumbent’s site, if he develops one.

  14. By Alan Goldsmith
    August 11, 2011 at 3:47 pm | permalink

    Thanks Jack!

  15. By DrData
    August 11, 2011 at 8:08 pm | permalink

    I hope she puts up an IT savvy website that allows for contributions on-line. If so, I might make an out-of-ward contribution to her campaign. If it requires a check, envelope, stamp I’ll be less inclined.

    Since the students will be back for the November election, it might be useful for her if she paints herself as the progressive candidate. Kind of an odd description for a former Republican candidate, but fairly accurate.

  16. By Marvin Face
    August 13, 2011 at 8:09 pm | permalink

    I wish we had a Jane Lumm in the 5th!