Of three candidates opposing incumbent 52-2 District Court Judge Dana Fortinberry for the bench, only one proved to be a real challenge.
When votes from all 51 precincts were tallied, 34-year-old Joe Fabrizio came out on top, claiming 6,205, or 38.01 percent, of the 16,324 votes cast.
‘I’m very encouraged by the results, but there’s a lot of work to be done,? Fabrizio said.
Fortinberry, who was first elected in 2002, netted 5,699, or 34.91 percent.
‘I’m grateful for the tremendous support I received from primary voters,? Fortinberry said. ‘I look forward to a campaign focused on qualifications and issues this fall.?
Candidate Fred Miller walked away with 2,735, or 16.75 percent of votes, while Mark Lyon took 1,665, or 10.2 percent.
As the two top vote-getters, Fortinberry and Fabrizio will face off in the Nov. 4 general election.
District Court judges are elected on a non-partisan ballot and serve 6-year terms.
The 52-2 District Court serves the entire Clarkston News coverage area’the City of the Village of Clarkston, Independence Township and Springfield Township’as well as the townships of Brandon, Groveland, Holly, Rose and White Lake, along with the villages of Ortonville and Holly.
Aug. 5 primary election results were obtained from the Oakland County Clerk’s office and are deemed ‘unofficial? until certified by the Board of Canvassers. The process takes about two weeks.