2 Republicans compete to replace longtime Climax Township clerk [Video]

KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — Two candidates are going head to head in the race for Climax Township Clerk.

Murat Bates, 53, and Sarah DeBoer, both Republicans, are running for the open seat. Currently there are no Democrats running. The winner of the race will run unopposed in November, barring a write-in candidacy.

The township’s clerk is responsible for maintaining township records. Climax Township is roughly 16 miles east of Kalamazoo.

The current longtime clerk, Marcia Lewis, is not running for reelection.

Bates is a small business owner. He’s the current chair of the Climax Township Board of Review and a member of the Climax Township Road Commission, according to Vote411.

MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters Michigan Education Fund this year to provide voters with a Vote411 election guide. Candidates filled out general information about their campaigns and answered a list of questions from the League of Women Voters.

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