State Representative Jim Ananich (D-Flint) enjoyed a comfortable victory over a crowded field in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the 27th Senate District seat. The seat was left vacant by the current Genesee County Clerk, former State Senator John Gleason. Representative Ananich credits his victory to his effective grassroots campaign as well as his work ethic.

In a primary where more than 16,000 people voted, Rep. Ananich picked up 51.3 percent of the votes. Fellow State Representative Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint) was the other major vote-getter in the five-person race, obtaining 37.8 percent of the vote. Genesee County Commissioner Ted Henry finished third with 10.2 percent.

The next step in the process is the special general election on May 7th, where Representative Ananich will run against Republican Robert Daunt. Mr. Ananich is heavily favored in the strongly Democratic seat. The Democrats outnumbered the Republicans by an 8-to-1 margin in Primary turn-out numbers this week.