Derek Swajanen led Patrick Crowley in Marquette County’s 96th District Court race, 14,936 votes to 13,751, according to unofficial county results from the Nov. 3 election.
Swajanen has nearly 30 years of courtroom experience, according to his campaign biography. His work has included representing indigent defendants and serving as an assistant prosecuting attorney. He has handled homicide cases and complex litigation.
Crowley congratulated Swajanen and thanked his supporters in a written statement to WLUC.
Stupak takes Delta County seat
In the Delta County 94th District Court race, Trent Stupak defeated Andrew Hayse with 65.64% of the vote, according to unofficial county returns. Stupak received 9,676 votes to Hayse’s 5,026.
Stupak reported 25 years of legal practice in Delta County in his VOTE411 candidate questionnaire. He said his work has taken him to district, circuit and probate courts across 13 of the Upper Peninsula’s 15 counties.
He will replace Judge Steven Parks, who held the position for more than a decade, WZMQ 19 reported.
Hayse, 32, called the campaign “a great learning experience,” according to WLUC. He serves as a circuit court domestic relations referee, according to WZMQ.
Both judges will be sworn in in December and take office in January, WLUC reported.
