Published: November 05, 2008 07:52 am      

12:39 am: Schmidt holds big lead in 104th race

TRAVERSE CITY — Republican Grand Traverse County Commissioner Wayne Schmidt had a big lead over Democrat Roman Grucz in the race for the 104th District of the state House of Representatives.

But with ballots from most of Traverse City and all of Kalkaska County not counted, final results were unknown early today.

Schmidt led in Grand Traverse County 20,136 to 15,873 as of midnight Tuesday. Schmidt’s own calls to different precincts in Kalkaska County had him up by several hundred votes, but much of the county remains in the dark.

“We tried calling over there, but they’ve disconnected their phones or something,” Schmidt said. “I’m cautiously optimistic, but we want to make sure we get the rest of Traverse City before we say anything; we know the city is our toughest area.”

Grucz did not return several messages left on his cell phone Tuesday.

The Michigan Republican Party plastered Grand Traverse and Kalkaska County with negative flyers and telephone calls the last few weeks leading up the election, accusing Grucz of being “rotten” and “corrupt.”

Schmidt, however, said he believes it was his own campaign’s positive message and hard work that swung the vote his way.

“I’ve never believed in negative campaigning and I did not like it, but we had no control over it,” Schmidt said. “My campaign stayed positive and I think people realize you can’t make promises other than to work hard and do your best for the people of Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties.”

Schmidt, 42, of Traverse City, is a manager at the men’s downtown clothing store Captain’s Quarters owned by state Sen. Jason Allen and his father. He’s served on the Grand Traverse County board for 10 years, including two as chairman.

Libertarian candidate Dan McDougall, 48, a high school teacher from Williamsburg, came in a distant third.