Honestly, if you spent any time driving through Southeast Michigan last fall, the yard signs probably told you half the story before a single ballot was even scanned. But now that the dust has settled and the Michigan Secretary of State has certified the numbers, looking at the Lenawee County election results 2024 feels like looking at a microscopic slide of the entire Midwest.
It wasn't just a "red" year. It was a year where the margins grew teeth.
We saw a massive turnout. People weren't just voting; they were making statements. From the tiny precincts in Seneca Township to the busier hubs in Adrian and Tecumseh, the 2024 cycle proved that local politics in Lenawee is becoming just as polarized—and just as high-stakes—as the national stage.
The Presidential Surge: Trump vs. Harris
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Donald Trump didn’t just win Lenawee County; he dominated it. In a county with roughly 99,000 residents, the Republican ticket pulled in 60.8% of the vote. Kamala Harris trailed with 37.8%.
If you compare that to the 2020 cycle, the shift is clear. Trump’s margin expanded by about 23 points here. It’s a trend we saw across a lot of the "Rust Belt" counties where economic anxiety and cultural identity seem to be the primary drivers. Basically, the rural townships like Ogden, Dover, and Medina acted as a massive GOP firewall that the more moderate or liberal pockets in the cities couldn't even begin to breach.
Local Power Shifts: The Board of Commissioners
While everyone was focused on the top of the ticket, the real "boots on the ground" power in Lenawee is found in the Board of Commissioners. This is where the budget for your roads, your local health department, and the sheriff's office actually gets decided.
The GOP sweep was almost total here. Take a look at some of the key wins:
📖 Related: What Really Happened With Trump Revoking Mayorkas Secret Service Protection
- District 1: David M. Stimpson (R) held off Bill Swift (D) with about 59% of the vote.
- District 6: This one was a bit tighter, but Terry Collins (R) took it with 53% over Andrew Winckles (D).
- District 9: James Van Doren (R) crushed it with 66% against Jeff DiCenzo (D).
What's interesting is that even in districts that usually lean a bit more "purple," the Republican candidates were winning by 5 to 10 points. It's a tough environment for a Democrat to run in Lenawee right now. You've basically got to convince people to split their ticket, and in 2024, most people were just hitting the "straight-party" button and walking out.
The Unopposed and the Incumbents
A lot of the "heavy hitters" in the county didn't even have to sweat on election night. Jackie Wyse cruised into the Prosecuting Attorney seat, and Troy Bevier remains the Sheriff. Roxann Holloway stayed on as County Clerk. When you have that much continuity in the "row offices," it tells you that the local Republican infrastructure is incredibly well-oiled. They aren't just winning; they're entrenched.
The Tecumseh Sinking Fund and School Boards
Now, this is where things usually get "kinda" unpredictable. School millages and nonpartisan boards are the one place where Lenawee voters sometimes break from their party lines.
In Tecumseh, the Sinking Fund Millage actually passed. It wasn't a landslide—53% "Yes" to 47% "No"—but it means the district gets about $7.5 million over five years for essential building repairs. The first big project? Fixing the roof at the Tecumseh Memorial Community Pool, which is estimated to cost around $2.5 million.
It’s funny, isn't it? A voter might cast a ballot for a "small government" fiscal conservative for President but then turn around and vote to raise their own property taxes to fix a local pool. It shows that in Lenawee, community assets still carry weight that transcends partisan bickering.
Why Turnout Was the Real Story
Michigan as a whole saw record-breaking turnout, and Lenawee was right there in the mix. The state had a 74.6% turnout rate of eligible voters—third-best in the nation.
👉 See also: Franklin D Roosevelt Civil Rights Record: Why It Is Way More Complicated Than You Think
You've probably noticed the change in how people vote, too. Between early voting sites and no-reason absentee ballots, the "Election Day" experience is becoming a three-week event. In Lenawee, the surge of first-time voters—about 14.5% statewide—really shook up the traditional precinct math.
We saw high engagement from younger voters, but there's still a gap. While Gen Z turned out in higher numbers than in 2022, they still trail the "Over 65" crowd by a massive margin. In a county like Lenawee, which has a significant aging population, that 65+ demographic basically dictates the outcome of every local race.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Results
There's this idea that Lenawee is just "deep red" and that’s the end of it. But if you look at the precinct-level data, it’s more nuanced.
The City of Adrian remains the most competitive area. In some Adrian precincts, the margins are razor-thin. The "redness" of the county comes from the sheer geographic dominance of the townships. When you have 20+ townships all voting 65-75% Republican, the urban centers simply don't have the population density to counteract that.
Another misconception? That it was all about the "Trump effect." While he certainly helped, the local GOP has been building a ground game for decades. They have a deep bench of candidates who are well-known in their communities. You're not just voting for a party; you're voting for the guy you see at the Kiwanis club or the woman who helped you with a property tax question at the courthouse.
Actionable Insights and Next Steps
If you're looking at these results and wondering "What now?", here's the deal:
✨ Don't miss: 39 Carl St and Kevin Lau: What Actually Happened at the Cole Valley Property
1. Watch the Budget Sessions: Now that the Board of Commissioners is seated, pay attention to the first quarter budget meetings. With a strong GOP mandate, expect a focus on infrastructure and potentially some pushback on state-mandated social programs.
2. Follow the Millage Implementation: For those in Tecumseh, the 1.75 mill increase starts appearing on tax bills soon. Keep the school board accountable for that $2.5 million pool roof project. They promised a "Building Tomorrow Together" approach—make sure the transparency stays high.
3. Engagement for 2026: If you were unhappy with the results, the 2026 midterms start "unofficially" right now. Local township boards (like Raisin, Rome, and Rollin) often have vacancies or low-turnout primary races where a few hundred votes can change the entire direction of a community.
4. Check Your Registration: With the new 2025-2026 legislative updates in Lansing, voter rolls are being cleaned up more frequently. Use the Michigan Voter Information Center (MVIC) to make sure your status is active, especially if you moved recently within the county.
The 2024 results weren't a fluke. They were the result of a highly motivated electorate and a county that is firmly leaning into its conservative identity. Whether you're celebrating the wins or mourning the losses, the data shows that Lenawee is a place where every vote—especially in those tiny township precincts—actually moves the needle.