Marquette County appoints Fred Benzie to fill District 3 vacancy

The Marquette County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Fred Benzie to fill the District 3 vacancy following a special meeting on March 26. Commissioners heard five candidates' remarks and then conducted a roll-call style selection.

Chairperson Droege thanked applicants and noted the broad qualifications of the field before commissioners cast votes. "All candidates certainly [are] uniquely qualified in their own right," the chair said during remarks before the board began voting. Commissioners announced their choices in turn and concluded with a plurality in favor of Benzie: three votes for Benzie, one for Sullivan and one for Smith, after which the chair congratulated Benzie on his appointment.

Candidates delivered short statements to introduce themselves and their experience before the selection. Jenna Smith described her municipal background, saying she had overseen "a $78,000,000 annual government budget" as mayor of the city of Marquette and would run for election after an appointment. Will Sullivan outlined his legal and nonprofit experience; Beau Maxson and Randy Retari also presented their qualifications during the public candidate presentations.

The board noted statutory timing requirements for filling the vacancy and reminded appointees that the successful candidate would need to file to run in the upcoming elections. The appointment fills the seat through the near-term period; the appointee will serve until the winner of the next scheduled election takes office.