3 races to watch in SE Michigan with primary less than a week away

What to look for in Wayne, Macomb, Oakland counties

DETROIT – With less than a week before the August primary election, the heat is getting tuned up in three races across the metro Detroit area.

In Wayne County, the Democratic primary for Wayne County Executive is filled with nasty TV ads and legal challenges -- all attacks hitting Warren Evans, the presumptive front-runner in the race, according to polling.

Evans is in front of a pack that includes Westland Mayor Bill Wild, State Rep. Phil Cavanagh, Wayne County Commissioner Kevin McNamara and current Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano.

In Macomb County, you have what is shaping up to the most expensive state House race in Michigan history.

Trial attorney Peter Lucido and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot have been waging a political mailing war. All for a job that pays $71,000 a year.

Nearly $400,000 has been raised by the Grot and Lucido campaigns, which are duking it out in a hotly contested GOP primary for the 36th District. The district includes Shelby, Washington and Bruce Townships and Romeo Village.

There are multiple congressional races that have parts of Oakland County. The one to watch is the 14th Congressional District. It encompasses parts of Oakland and Wayne.

It's Gary Peters seat: He's vacating to run for U.S. Senate. In the hunt are former Congressman Hansen Clarke, State Rep. Rudy Hobbs and Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence.

Both Clarke and Lawrence have strong name identification but it's Hobbs who has been cleaning up with major endorsements, including a very big one coming Wednesday, sources told Local 4.


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