IRON MOUNTAIN — Republicans will hold a 5-0 majority on the Dickinson County Board as a result of Tuesday’s general election and only one incumbent will return when four-year terms begin in January.

John Degenaer Jr. of Norway, a Democrat who has served on the board 26 years, was defeated by a 544-vote margin in District 5 by Republican challenger Victoria Jakel. The preliminary tally was 1,794 votes for Jakel and 1,250 for Degenaer.

Degenaer was the fourth board incumbent voted out in this year’s election cycle, as longtime members Henry Wender of Breitung Township in District 4, Barbara Kramer of Iron Mountain in District 3 and Ann Martin of Iron Mountain in District 2 were all defeated in the Republican primary in August. Wender has served 35 years on the board and is the current chair.

In District 3, Republican Dan Harrington easily won Tuesday over Democrat Sandi Lefebvre, 2,024 to 965. In District 2, Republican Kevin Sullivan prevailed over Democrat William Revord, 1,623 to 941.

Unopposed Tuesday were Republicans Peter Swanson in District 4 and incumbent Joseph Stevens of Kingsford in District 1. Stevens, who turned back a Republican challenger in the August primary, will enter his 31st year on the board in January.

County board terms previously were two years. State legislation passed in 2021 with bipartisan support changed that to four years, effective with this year’s election.

In Norway Township, Republican Brian Pellegrini, with 600 votes, and incumbent Republican David B. Solda, with 679 votes, won township board trustee seats Tuesday. Finishing out of the running was incumbent Michael Steeno. He ran without party affiliation and received 324 votes.

All candidates for two West Branch Township trustee seats ran without party affiliation. Preliminary results were Roger Hiironen, 24 votes; Earl D. Phyilliaere, 12 votes; and Cheryl Peacock, 11 votes.

In the presidential race, Dickinson County voters supported Republican Donald Trump with 10,324 votes to 4,761 votes for Democrat Kamala Harris. In Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, Republican Mike Rogers received 10,075 votes in the county while Democrat Elissa Slotkin drew 4,662 votes.

Voter turnout in Dickinson County was reported at 65%.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.