MARQUETTE – Republican Jack Bergman, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general, will face off with Lon Johnson, former Michigan Democratic Party leader, for 1st District Representative in U.S. Congress, a seat previously held by Republican Dan Benishek.

Libertarian Diane Bostow will also compete in the general election Nov. 8.

Bergman said his campaign focus will remain fiscal responsibility, constitutionalism and education, and he is grateful for voters’ endorsement.

“No. 1, I’m thankful to all the voters who voted, regardless of who they voted for, because … when you vote, you really do validate and support all the men and women who’ve served in uniform over the long-term for this country,” Bergman said. “And for those who chose to vote for me, all I can say is thank you and I’m (going to) work harder than ever to make you proud that you cast a vote for me in the primary.”

District-wide, Johnson drew 31,677 democratic votes or about 73 percent in Tuesday’s primary, while his Democratic challenger, former Kalkaska County Sheriff Jerry Cannon, received 12,539 votes, according to The Associated Press.

In Marquette County, Johnson won 7,225 votes to Cannon’s 2,009 votes.

Johnson said his victory shows voters want new leadership in Washington, D.C., which has “rigged the rules for the wealthy and the well-connected.”

“(Voters) want to see a member of Congress that’s going to work on a bipartisan basis to get things done, to stop these trade deals that ship our jobs overseas, that protects the promise of Social Security, that gets a new Soo Lock built, that brings high-speed internet and mobile cell phone service to all our communities,” Johnson said. “They’re tired of the gridlock. They want someone to go to Washington, to roll up their sleeves and get things done on a bipartisan basis. Congressman (Bart) Stupack did that for 18 years, and his endorsement signals that I will continue in that tradition.”

Although Tom Casperson, current state senator for the 38th District, won the Republican ticket in Marquette County with 1,810 votes, Bergman was the winner in the 1st District bringing in 33,624 total Republican votes, or 39 percent, to Casperson’s 27,811, or 32 percent, the AP reported. Bergman brought in 1,114 votes in Marquette County.

Jason Allen, a former state senator, received 214 votes in Marquette County and 25,604 votes district wide, or about 29 percent.

The position is a two-year term.

Benishek, who began serving in Congress in 2010, left his seat open by choosing not to seek re-election in 2016.

Unofficial county results were obtained from the Marquette County Clerk’s Office.

Official results will be released today by the Marquette County Board of Canvassers after they meet at 1 p.m.

Mary Wardell can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248.