John Hieftje, Leah Gunn, and Margie Teall all endorsed Mr. Hohnke early on, and he also received money and/or endorsements from various trade union groups and PACs. But it was probably the late-season endorsements (in tandem) by Rebekah Warren and Conan Smith that put him over the top (by 53 votes). I must say that the Ann Arbor News’ reporting was also very favorable to him. I’m so glad that the Chronicle has adopted a neutral, evenhanded approach to election coverage. It has been very refreshing. You are at the top of my list.
]]>John Roberts was known for his past history as an athlete and was also, along with Wendy Woods, one of the last African-Americans to sit on the Ann Arbor City Council.
The past “public service” of Sabra Briere alluded to in the article included a leadership position with the local ACLU and secretary of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party as well as a later prominent position in the Ann Arbor Democratic Party.
Briere was also a prominent pro-choice activist, and was instrumental in amending the City of Ann Arbor Charter in this regard.
Hohnke’s 2008 election largely was due to the fact that the prior incumbent, Chris Easthope, gave up his seat to run for District Judge and Easthope’s cohorts on City Council as well as Mr. Easthope himself endorsed Carsten’s candidacy when many were backing the far better known Vivienne Armentrout, who was formerly the County Commission chairperson and was later active in the ASK Voters First movement.
]]>I ran to fill a seat left open when Bob Johnson decided not to run for re-election. I was honored to win a three-way primary, but didn’t win against an incumbent. That’s a much more difficult race.
Sabra
]]>If Carsten does not get 50% of the total vote, it will be an embarrassment for him.
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