Charlevoix's Neil Friske wins primary election for 107th House seat

CHARLEVOIX — Charlevoix's Neil Friske has won Michigan's 107th House of Representatives race in the Republican primary on Aug. 2. 

The district includes the counties of Charlevoix, Emmet and portions of Mackinac and Chippewa. 

The primary election had one of the largest candidate fields in recent memory for the 107th House district, with five candidates running on the Republican ticket and one as a Democrat.

Friske won the Republican election by 42.1 percent with 6,654 total votes. In second place, was Parker Fairbairn with 35.3 percent and 5,577 total votes.  

In the race, Friske carried the counties of Charlevoix, Mackinac and Chippewa. Fairbairn won the majority of votes in Emmet County. 

Other candidates in the race were Jonathan Scheel with 10.8 percent (1,701 votes), Bob Carr with 7.7 percent (1,210 votes) and David Laughbaum with 4.1 percent (652 votes).

After his victory, Friske gave thanks to his faith and his many volunteers.

"First off, I'd like to thank God for putting it on my heart to run for this office and thank him for the blessing in this victory yesterday. I am humbled to be here in this moment and by the many people who came alongside me during my campaign and worked tirelessly and sacrificed their time and resources to carry us to victory," he wrote in a statement to the Charlevoix Courier.

"I'm also humbled by those who voted for me and spoke distinctly and boldy with their votes, thank you and I'm honored to have earned your vote. Also to the voters who supported my opponents I pray to earn your support as well in the general election in November."

If he wins in November, this would be the first public office held by Friske, 60, who resides in Charlevoix and owns and operates Friske & Sons Property Management. His family owns Friske Orchards Farm Market in Antrim County. 

Growing up in the Charlevoix/Ellsworth area, he is a native Northern Michigander and has owned several businesses, according to a previous interview with the Charlevoix Courier. He moved back to Charlevoix permanently in 2002. 

More:Meet the candidates for the 107th State House race

Due to the state's redistricting, the 107th House district was an open seat with no incumbent. There was one candidate who ran for the position in the Democratic primary on Aug. 2 — Jodi Decker. 

Friske will run against Decker in the November general election.

Check out statewide election results at www.petoskeynews.com/elections/results/2022-08-02/state/michigan. 

Contact reporter Annie Doyle at adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com