Hoffman trounces Venie to earn term on county board

Highland Township voters — and voters in other north Oakland County communities — backed Oakland County Commissioner Robert Hoffman (R-Highland) to serve the remaining unexpired term that was created when Bill Bullard Jr. left the county Board of Commissioners to become the Clerk/Register of Deeds.

Hoffman, 60, in unofficial results from the Tuesday, Aug. 2 special election, took 71 percent (739 votes) of the Highland Township electorate compared to Democratic challenger Mark Venie’s 28 percent (294 votes). Seven ballots were cast for write-in candidates in Highland Township.

In the Board of Commissioners 2nd District — which also includes Holly, Rose, and Springfield townships, as well as the Village of Holly — Hoffman nabbed nearly 69 percent (1,500 votes) of the electorate compared to Venie’s nearly 31 percent (677 votes), according to unofficial results that still have to be certified by the county’s Board of Canvassers.

A dozen ballots were cast for write-in candidates in the 2nd District election.

“I’d like to first of all thank all those who voted for me,” Hoffman said. “I want to thank my campaign manager, Janet Leslie, who worked tirelessly, and all my supporters and friends of supporters.”

He also thanked friends and family and said that he wished Venie well.

“He’s a good man,” he said.

“It’s an honor to be a county commissioner, and I really look forward to serving,” Hoffman said, adding that he is most looking forward to “continuing to contribute to managing the county.”

County commissioners typically serve two-year terms and earn $32,093 annually. Hoffman’s term will expire Dec. 31, 2012.

The election became necessary after former county Clerk/Register of Deeds Ruth Johnson won a 2010 race to become the Michigan Secretary of State, prompting an opening that Bullard filled after handily winning election to his old Board of Commissioners seat in 2010.

Hoffman was appointed to fill Bullard’s slot on the board. He defeated two Republican challengers in the May 3 primary election.