TRAVERSE CITY — A Bear Lake grocery store owner bested three other Republican candidates in a close race for the state House.
Ray Franz, of Onekama, edged challenger Mike McManus by nine votes for the 101st District in Tuesday's Republican primary. He earned 4,855 votes to McManus's 4,846.
Challenger Janice McCraner finished third with 3,037 votes, and challenger Gregory Ferguson earned 596.
The 101st District includes Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee and Mason counties.
McManus came within a tenth of a percent of Franz, despite winning three of the four counties. Franz won Manistee County.
"I don't see it as anything other than a victory," Franz said Wednesday. "It's unlikely that things will change."
The results still need to be certified by the state Board of Canvassers. Barring any dramatic changes in the results, Franz will face Democrat Dan Scripps of Northport in November.
The Republican winner said hours after learning the results that he already made phone calls to Mason County voters, and has events planned Wednesday and Thursday.
"There's no days off," Franz said. "There's not enough time."
McManus, whose daughter is state Sen. Michelle McManus, said he will wait for results to become official and check for any human error.
After that, he said, he could ask for a recount.
"It's very close, and it's an interesting situation," said McManus, of Leland Township in Leelanau County. "Right now, I'm just considering my options."
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