3 Delta County commissioners easily recalled

ESCANABA, Mich. (WLUC) - Delta County voters recalled three of five county commissioners by wide margins Tuesday after they voted to fire County Administrator Emily DeSalvo last year.

Unofficial results show Robert Barron, David Moyle and Robert Petersen lost by significant margins in their districts. The three winners, Myra Croasdell, Kelli van Ginhoven and Matthew Jensen, will serve the remainder of the incumbents’ terms, which end on Dec. 31. All six are running for the board this fall.

In District 3, Croasdell defeated Barron with 73% of the vote.

In District 4, van Ginhoven won over Moyle with 72% of the vote.

In District 5, Jensen beat Petersen with 72% of the vote.

The election was the culmination of a decision made by Barron, Moyle and Petersen in 2023. The three abruptly fired then county administrator Emily DeSalvo at a county board meeting.

Shortly after, Delta County Citizens for Ethical Leadership formed. The group was the driving force behind the recall efforts, creating the petitions and gathering the signatures needed to make the election happen.

Much of the election played out in the public eye with contentious social media posts and editorials in the local paper from both sides.

TV6 reached out to the winners and losers of Tuesday’s election for their reactions.

District 3:

“There was very poor voter turnout. The general public doesn’t realize the woke agenda that the newly elected have, which will be put into play very quickly,” Barron said. “I’ll be running in the August primary, and we’ll see if the people of Delta County want that mob-rule type of governance or do they want the constitutional representative republic, which is the rule of God’s law.”

“Thank you to everyone who cared enough about our community to take the time to vote,” Croasdell said. “I respect your input and I will work as your new commissioner to listen to all voices and opinions on how we can make Delta County an even better place to live, work and play. I’m looking forward to quickly learning the ropes and getting straight to work for the people of Delta County.”

County Clerk Nancy Przewrocki reported online the voter turnout was 23.88% with 4,550 voters out of the 19,056 registered voters casting their ballots in the three districts.

District 4:

“She’s representing the county right now, and I wish her the absolute best of luck,” Moyle said.

“I’ve had very good conversations with the new commissioners as well as the ones that are remaining,” van Ginhoven said. “I think we’re going to have a great collaborative effort where we each show each other respect and we get the work of the county done

District 5:

“We put on a good fight, and we lost. I will regroup and come back in August,” Petersen said. “I will still work with the people that want my help.”

“This wouldn’t have happened without the help and support of a whole lotta people, and this is every much their win and a win for the county as it is for me,” Jensen said. “In addition, I look forward to working and serving with my fellow commissioners and creating a positive atmosphere and positive things coming in the future for Delta County.”

This election puts the newcomers on the county board through the end of this year. They must win again in August and November to serve a full term. With the November election being a presidential election, voter turnout is anticipated to be much higher.

TV6 is updating this list of races from across the U.P.

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