LAPEER COUNTY — The votes have been tallied in Lapeer County.

Challenger Mike Hodges has unseated incumbent Circuit Court Judge Byron Konschuh in a non-partisan race for a six-year term.

Hodges received 23,687 votes to Konschuh’s 14,775.

Incumbent 82nd District Representative Gary Howell cruised to victory in his re-election bid. The Republican got 37,013 votes to Democrat Jerry Tkach’s 13,617.

Both the Lapeer County Veterans Affairs and 911 authority were successful in their proposal requests.

The VA’s proposal for a millage increase was passed by a wide margin—29,320 yes to 17,635 no votes.

A surcharge increase for 911 services was narrowly approved. Results show 23,708 votes were cast in favor and 23,392 were in dissent.

A proposal to fund Lapeer County’s Animal Control operations failed to get the needed votes. The vote totals were 19,717 yes to 22,951 no.

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A handful of contested races also played out at the village level in Lapeer County.

In Dryden, Alen Graham defeated Elizabeth Thiemkey for the council president post with a 267 to 203 vote tally.

And in Almont, the race for five council seats concludes with Tim Dyke (677), Nick Giacalone (648), James Aleck (619), Wayne Glasser (606) and Jacqueline Calka (584) getting the top votes.

Current council member Bernie Calka came in sixth place with 493 votes.