Election 2002: Marshall County Sweep
By Stacey Creasy
Pilot News
PLYMOUTH � On Jan. 1, Clifford Allen will still be the only Democrat on the Marshall County Commission or the Marshall County Council.
On Tuesday, the Republicans took the four county council seats as well as the District 1 Marshall County Commissioner contest.
Republican John R. Zentz easily defeated Democrat James P. Berger in the race for District 1 commissioner. Zentz collected 7911 votes or 62 percent while Berger picked up 4882 votes or 38 percent.
Zentz said he knows and loves county government. With this win, Zentz has been elected to three local county offices. He served more than 20 years on the Marshall County Council and is completing his eighth and final year as Marshall County Recorder.
Zentz said he is looking forward to serving as commissioner even though the panel will have some tough decisions to make. Zentz said going into the election: � I love the decision-making process.�
The four Republicans running for re-election on the county council easily defeated their opponents.
In District 1, Matt Hassel beat Democrat Howard Lamaster by a 70-30 percent margin. In District 2, Fred Lintner cruised past Bonnie Neidlinger by a 61-39 percent.
In District 3, Don Morrison defeated Donald G. Ecker Sr. by a 60-40 percent margin, and Bill Gee beat Democrat Rex Crump by a 64-36 percent.
The seven council seats are held by Republicans who have been running as a team in recent years. Council members like Bill Gee believes the approach is working for the local GOP.
This year, the Republicans sponsored a series of town hall-type meetings where the candidates traveled to the surrounding towns to talk to voters about issues.
Party officials believe events like the meetingd paid dividends. The GOP also held is annaul rally to unify the party.
Tuesday was a clean sweep for the GOP. County assessor Michael Boys easily defeated Vida Creed by a 69-31 percent margin.
Republican Jan Fisher was re-elected to her second term as Marshall County Clerk after she beat Yolanda Gorka 73 to 27 percent.
Marshall County Sheriff Robert Ruff easily won his re-election bid by defeating Democrat Cindy Quivey by a 72-28 percent margin.
Republican Betty Engel will be the next county recorder after she beat Democrat Mary Beth Ryan by a wide 69-31 percent margin.
Republicans Curt Palmer, Marshall County Prosecutor; Marshall County Auditor Jan Quivey and Marshall Superior Court No. 2 Dean Colvin were opposed in the election.
Marshall County Chair David Holmes credits his party�s candidates, their drive and determination to win for the GOP�s success.
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