A stunning upset occurred in Addison Township’s primary yesterday as 16-year incumbent Supervisor Bob Koski received his walking papers from voters.
Challenger Bruce Pearson soundly defeated the veteran local politician 745 to 420.
Pearson, a deputy who’s retiring from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department later this year, will face Sereal Gravlin in the November election.
Pearson is a Republican while Gravlin will be running with no party affiliation.
Two new faces will be joining the township board as trustees. Newcomers John Boehmer and Linda Gierak were elected with 616 and 561 votes, respectively.
Incumbents Ed Brakefield and John Sutphin were re-elected with 567 and 525 votes, respectively.
Incumbent Christine Sypitkowski failed in her re-election bid by garnering 524 votes.
Challenger E. Joe Schnur came in dead last with 458 votes.
None of Addison’s trustees will face challengers in the November general election.
Clerk Pauline Bennett and Treasurer Dan Alberty each ran unopposed in yesterday;s primary. Bennett received 922 votes while Alberty garnered 870.
Of the township’s 4,792 registered voters, a total of 1,481 (or 30.91 percent) participated in the Aug. 5 primary election.