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William Bunek recall, Leelanau County, Michigan (2021-2022)
| Leelanau County Commissioner Recall |
|---|
 |
| Officeholders |
| Recall status |
| Recall election date |
| May 3, 2022 |
| Signature requirement |
| See also |
| Recall overview Political recall efforts, 2022 Recalls in Michigan Michigan recall laws County commission recalls Recall reports |
William Bunek (R) was removed as Leelanau County Commissioner through a recall election in Leelanau County, Michigan. A recall election was held on May 3, 2022. Bunek lost the seat with 786 voters voting in favor of the recall. Lois Bahle (D) was elected to replace Bunek.[1]
Bunek held the seat for 14 years. His removal switched the board majority from Republican to Democratic.[2]
Recall vote
General election
Special general election for Leelanau County Commissioner District 3
Lois Bahle defeated incumbent William Bunek in the special general election for Leelanau County Commissioner District 3 on May 3, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lois Bahle (D) | 55.0 | 786 | |
| William Bunek (R) | 45.0 | 643 | ||
| Total votes: 1,429 | |||
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Recall supporters
Recall supporters listed statements made by Bunek in a county board meeting on September 14, 2021, as the main reason for the recall petition. Bunek recommended zeroing out the Early Childhood Services millage that was passed by voters in November 2019. Three other Republicans on the board also supported setting the tax rate to 0.000 mills.[3]
Bunek became the focus of the recall for statements he made in defense of this recommendation. According to the Traverse City Record Eagle, Bunek said that "the United States is a constitutional republic and when voters make a wrong decision, the county board is there to make sure that it doesn’t go on, that it’s the board’s responsibility to do the what’s right for the county."[1]
Recall opponents
Bunek appealed the factual nature of the recall petition in the 13th Circuit Court, stating that he felt his statements were misrepresented.[3] Bunek has said that he still stands by his recommendation to zero out the Early Childhood Services millage, saying that he only meant to eliminate the tax for one year. According to the Traverse City Record Eagle, "Getting the program up and running was delayed by the pandemic, resulting in unspent funds."[1]
“I feel like they’re trying to throw me out of office for lowering the tax rate and helping them out,” Bunek said.[1]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Laws governing recall in Michigan
The county election commission found the language of the recall petition to be factual in October 2021. Bunek's appeal was denied in November 2021, which allowed for the circulation of the petition. In order to progress to a vote, 513 signatures were required.
Recall supporters were able to gather 663 signatures. A special election was held on May 3, 2022.[1]
See also
- Leelanau County, Michigan
- Recall campaigns in Michigan
- Political recall efforts, 2021
- Political recall efforts, 2022
- County commission recalls
External links
Footnotes
