Fact Check: Bohnak's election turned Michigan's Upper Peninsula entirely red.

Fact Check: "Bohnak's election turned Michigan's Upper Peninsula entirely red."

What We Know

The claim that "Bohnak's election turned Michigan's Upper Peninsula entirely red" refers to the recent election of Karl Bohnak, a Republican, to the Michigan House of Representatives, specifically in the 109th district. Bohnak defeated incumbent Democrat Jenn Hill, marking a significant political shift as it is the first time in decades that a Republican will represent Marquette County in the state House (source-2).

While Bohnak's victory is notable, it is essential to analyze the broader electoral context. Bohnak won by securing votes in several counties, including Dickinson, Alger, and Baraga, while losing in Marquette County itself, where Hill received a substantial majority (source-4). This indicates that while Bohnak's win is significant, it does not necessarily mean that the entire Upper Peninsula has turned Republican.

Analysis

The assertion that Bohnak's election turned the Upper Peninsula "entirely red" is misleading. Although Bohnak's victory is historic for Marquette County, he did not win the county itself, where Hill received over 20,000 votes compared to Bohnak's approximately 17,000 (source-2). This suggests that while there is a Republican presence in the region, significant Democratic support remains, particularly in Marquette County.

Furthermore, the term "entirely red" implies a complete political shift across the region, which is not supported by the election results. The Upper Peninsula consists of several counties, and Bohnak's success was primarily due to strong performances in counties outside of Marquette. For example, he won decisively in Dickinson County (2,693 to 1,193) and Alger County (3,159 to 2,061) (source-2).

The sources reporting on this election, including local news outlets, provide reliable information about the election outcomes and the context surrounding Bohnak's victory. However, they do not support the claim that the entire Upper Peninsula has shifted to Republican dominance.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True
While Karl Bohnak's election is a significant event for the Republican Party in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the claim that it turned the region "entirely red" is misleading. Bohnak's victory does not reflect a complete political shift, as he lost in Marquette County and the region still shows substantial Democratic support. Therefore, the statement is only partially true, as it overlooks the complexities of the electoral landscape in the Upper Peninsula.

Fact Check: Bohnak's election turned Michigan's Upper Peninsula entirely red.