Politics & Government

Recount Upholds GOP Primary Victories for Conzelman, Edwards

Updated: Conzelman wins election by 15 votes; Edwards wins by 404

A recount today upheld Nancy Conzelman's Aug. 7 Republican primary victory for Plymouth Township Clerk over incumbent Joe Bridgman.

Conzelman won the Aug. 7 primary by just eight votes, and Bridgman called for a recount shortly thereafter.

After today's recount, Conzelman finished with a 15-point victory, with 2,260 votes to Bridgman's 2,245.

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"The residents of the township voted and the people of Plymouth spoke," Bridgman said after the results were announced.

Upon hearing the results, Bridgman shook Conzelman's hand and congratulated his successor.

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Bridgman said he is accepting the decision and will not further challenge the results.

"She's going to be the next Plymouth Township clerk," he said. "She'll have plenty of support from the Plymouth Township board."

Bridgman, whose term ends at noon Nov. 20, said he doesn't yet know what his next venture will be.

Plymouth Township Treasurer Ron Edwards gained 13 additional votes in a recount called for by challenged Edwin Schulz, who gained 9 votes. Edwards' margin of victory increased from 400 on Nov. 7 to 404 after today's recount.

Edwards said the recount effort was "vindictive,"

Wayne County will hear further challenges from Schulz's camp over the handling of absentee ballots on Sept. 18 in Detroit, specifically an outdoor box where absentee ballots are returned.

Edwards said he didn't have access to the box, which he said belongs to the treasurer's office, during the election cycle.

"I gave up the key for absentee ballots," Edwards said. "I gave it up a long time ago."

He said he received the key again on Tuesday, after the to fill the rest of former Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's term.


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