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IRON MOUNTAIN -- A recall petition against Dickinson County Board Chairman Dan Harrington was submitted to the county clerk's office Thursday, with a determination due later this month on whether a Nov. 3 election will be scheduled.
Harrington was one of four Republican board members targeted for recall in petitions that were approved in February for circulation. No completed petitions were filed against the other three commissioners -- Peter Swanson, Kevin Sullivan and Victoria Jakel.
The recall against Harrington was spurred by his vote in favor of ending Dickinson County funding for the Michigan State University Extension office. Commissioner Joe Stevens, also a Republican, was the only board member to oppose that 2025 action.
The number of signatures needed to trigger a recall election is 25% of the votes cast in the respective commissioner's district for all candidates for the office of governor in the 2022 election. According to data from the clerk's office, 599 signatures are needed in Harrington's District 3.
If the petition has enough valid signatures, Harrington will automatically be listed as a Republican candidate for the District 3 seat on Nov. 3. The Democratic Party's executive committee may nominate a candidate as well.
Candidates without political party affiliation may seek a spot on the ballot through a qualifying petition.
In the November 2024 general election, Harrington won a four-year term on the board by defeating Democrat Sandi Lefebvre, 2,024 to 965. In the August 2024 Republican primary, he defeated incumbent Commissioner Barbara Kramer 373 to 330.
Prior to the 2024 election, county board terms were two years.
District 3 includes north areas of Iron Mountain and west areas of Breitung Township.
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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.