Marquette doctor Bob Lorinser will not get a second chance at defeating Jack Bergman for the Upper Peninsula’s lone seat to Congress. Lorinser, who launched his campaign days after losing to Bergman in the 2022 election, lost in his primary race Tuesday night to newcomer Callie Barr, an attorney from the Traverse City area. The latest results from the large First Congressional District early Wednesday morning saw Barr with about 58-percent of the vote, compared with 41-percent for Lorinser.
Lorinser conceded defeat just before midnight Tuesday night on Facebook.
“While the results of this primary election didn’t turn out as we had hoped, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported our campaign. Thank you for your trust, your hard work, and your belief in our vision for the future.
Though we didn’t win this time, our fight for the issues that matter most: affordable healthcare, strong schools, good jobs, and a clean environment: continues.”
Lorinser then congratulated his opponent.
“Congratulations to Callie Barr. Now, more than ever, it’s important that we come together and unite as a community. We must continue working toward the goal of a stronger, more inclusive Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula. Let’s keep pushing forward, supporting the progress we’ve made, and standing up for what we believe in. Together, we can still make a difference.”
For her part, Barr, was gracious in victory.
“ I’m grateful for the movement we are building in Michigan’s First Congressional District for our democracy, our families, and our future. Thank you to Bob Lorinser for running. His efforts are appreciated across the district,” she wrote on Facebook early Wednesday morning. “Thank you to everyone who voted, for showing up today because that’s what this campaign is about. It’s about showing up for this district, our country, for one another. It’s something Upper and Northern Michiganders know how to do, and it’s something the incumbent doesn’t. So let’s do this. Tomorrow starts today. Forward together.”
Barr, from Traverse City, refers to herself as a “mom, veteran’s advocate, former teacher, and attorney”.
Barr will face the three-term incumbent Republican Jack Bergman, who easily won his own primary against Josh Saul of Roscommon. Both men had a military background, with Bergman being a retired Marine General and Saul being an Army veteran who was wounded in Afghanistan and later returned to northern Michigan to work as a Certified Public Accountant. Bergman, however, cruised to a primary win.
As of early Wednesday morning, Bergman had roughly 80 percent of the vote, compared to 19 percent for Saul.
Bergman issued a statement shortly after his primary victory was confirmed.
“The people of the First District spoke loudly today. I’m grateful to have your support, and I’m proud to have again earned the Republican nomination to represent the First District of Michigan in Washington,” Bergman said. “We’ve made historic accomplishments like expanding care in the community for Veterans, beginning construction on a new Soo Lock, cutting a historic amount of regulations, providing the largest tax cut to average Americans in decades, expanding broadband access to rural and remote communities, and getting millions of dollars back from bureaucracies for my constituents.”
As of 2:15 a.m. ET Wednesday, Saul had not posted a comment on his campaign’s Facenbook page.
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