GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - After his defeat by challenger Dave Shaffer, incumbent Grand Rapids 1st Ward Commissioner James Jendraziak suspected the economy was a factor in the outcome.
"With the economy the way it is people might be looking for something different," Jendraziak said. "We've done the best we could for the past 12 years."
The 55 year old 3 term commissioner Jendraziak lost to Dave Shaffer by 140 votes in the election Tuesday.
30 year old Shaffer is a bank branch manager.
"We are so excited," he said after the votes were counted. "We worked so hard to get to the hard work ahead of us solving the problems of the 1st ward ."
Over the years Jendraziak was often the lone voice of dissent on the city commission, standing up for unions, public safety and his blue collar constituency.
"The police and the firefighters mean so much to me," Jendraziak told his supporters.
Shaffer received financial support from the DeVos family, Peter Secchia and other prominent Republicans.
"We are so pleased with the result," Shaffer said.
Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell was one of the first to congratulate the commissioner-elect at the Shaffer victory party in Branns Steakhouse on West Leonard.
"What we have in Dave Shaffer is someone who is bright, young, has new ideas and is going to be a great addition to the Grand Rapids City Commission.," says Mayor Heartwell.
"It was a tough race," said Jendraziak. "But we will be back. We will stay active and get them the next time."
4 years ago Jendraziak defeated Shaffer by 480 votes. This time Shaffer collected 51% of the vote to 49% for Jendraziak.
To see the outcome of races in several other communities in West Michigan click the highlighted election link.
In your voice
