2 candidates for a Grand Rapids Third Ward seat will advance to the runoff

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Kent County Clerk’s website initially listed incorrect totals with all reporting precincts. The story has been changed to more accurately reflect the vote getters.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Voters have narrowed down a crowded field of six candidates running for the Third Ward seat on the Grand Rapids City Commission in the Tuesday, August 6 primary election.

According to unofficial election results from the Kent County Clerk’s office, incumbent City Commissioner Bing Goei and Marshall Kilgore won the most votes in the Third Ward race, which means they will advance to the November ballot to determine who wins the place. .

Goei came in first Tuesday with 3,113 votes (or 29.92 percent of the vote), and Kilgore came in second with 2,901 votes (27.88 percent), according to unofficial results.

The four candidates who were defeated in the primary were John Krajewski, who received 1,251 votes (25.54%); Reggie Howard with 516 votes (10.53%); Joyce Priscilla Gipson with 304 votes (6.21%); and Al Willis with 105 votes (2.14%).

The Kent County Clerk’s Office website initially had Krajewski as the top vote-getter with all 12 precincts reporting as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. However, the site updated the total results by midnight, with Goei in the lead and Kilgore in second place.

Primary election results are considered unofficial until they are certified.

IN CONNECTION WITH: Meet the 6 candidates running for a Grand Rapids Third Ward seat in the primary election

The Third Ward seat up for grabs this fall is currently held by Goei, who was unanimously appointed to the role in March by the city commission to replace former Commissioner Nathaniel Moody. Moody resigned late last year, citing personal reasons.

The city’s Third Ward is located in the southeastern part of the city and is generally defined by Rich Street to the north, Jefferson Avenue to the west, and the city borders with neighboring municipalities to the south and east.

Goei was appointed to the city commission last year, becoming the first Asian American to serve on the body. He is the owner of Eastern Floral in Kentwood and Goei Center in Grand Rapids.

Goei was appointed by former Governor Rick Snyder as the first director of the Michigan Office for New Americans and has served on a variety of area boards and commissions, including those for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Community Relations . Commission and Asian American Association of Western Michigan. His campaign website is linked here.

Kilgore is director of engagement at the West Michigan Environmental Action Council and also serves as a board member for Seeds of Promise and on the city’s Vital Streets Oversight Commission, Housing Appeals Board and Urban Agriculture Committee.

Kilgore previously ran unsuccessfully for Kalamazoo City Commission in 2021.