Nellis wins judgeship in tight race

LUDINGTON — Jeff Nellis will be Mason County’s next probate judge. The Hamlin Township resident and Ludington based attorney defeated Ludington native and Michigan Court of Appeals attorney Nick Krieger during Tuesday’s General Election.

The race was close, however. Real close.

Throughout the night Nellis and Krieger were neck and neck as each of the 25 voting precincts came in. Krieger had the lead until Riverton Township came in and changed the course of the election.

Nellis won by 161 votes, 5,935 to 5,774, or 50.5 percent.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it,” Nellis said. “Watching those results come in was just excruciating. But, I am thankful that I won. It has been a long night.

The results were tight but not enough to re-count, County Clerk Jim Riffle said.

“That’s an acceptable margin,” Riffle said.

“I’m exhausted and very excited. I’m looking forward to the next challenge of working with Mason County’s families in a new capacity. Having been an advocate for all these years, it’s nice now in every case I can take the law and do what’s best in every case.”

Nellis’ term begins January 1. He replaces retiring judge Mark Raven who has served on the bench for 18 years. The probate judge term is six years. 

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