Any state/local elections near you in two weeks?

In Grand Rapids, Mayor John Logie (the longest-serving mayor in GR history) is retiring this year. Last month, one of the candidates to replace him, George Heartwell, won a three-way primary by getting over 50% of the vote. Okay, truth be told, he actually got over 80% - it wasn't even close. He will take office on December 30, replacing the divisive, outspoken Logie.

But that's Grand Rapids, and I live in Kentwood. We have one competitive City Commission (a.k.a. City Council) race, between a former GOP state convention delegate and the mother of a friend of mine from high school. <sarcasm> I've spent hours on end trying to figure out for whom to vote. </sarcasm>

Also, the Grand Rapids area (GR, Kentwood, Wyoming, and other suburbs) vote on a millage for public transportation. It doesn't seem expensive to me - a buck or two a month, maybe. I'll probably support it.

How about you?

We have a race coming up for mayor and city council in Greensboro, NC. Interstingly, our incumbent also won huge in the primary -- 70%. Also rather interesting, in the last mayoral race here, one of the primary challengers had previosuly run for mayor in Grand Rapids -- how about that?

Incumbents are heavily favored here, although I'm trying to help a challenger get elected to city council. We also have an education bond on the ballot. With 7,000 kids going to class in trailers, I think it will pass.

Also, do you know who that challenger was? (Who ran for GR mayor?)