GRAND RAPIDS -
In a major upset, challenger Dave Shaffer defeated incumbent Grand Rapids City Commissioner Jim Jendrasiak. It's the third time the two have faced off, but this time the results are far different from before.
Back in 2005 Jendrasiak held off Shaffer in a race for the first ward seat and extended his time as a commissioner to 12 years in office. During that time he's been widely supported by organized labor.
Shaffer is a 5th/3rd Bank branch manager and sat on the city's zoning board of appeals. Throughout his campaign, he's had Kent County Republican heavy weights behind him, including major donors Steve VanAndel and Doug Devos. Shaffer will take the first ward seat at the beginning of next year.
In the city's third ward, Commissioner Jim White held on to his seat. He beat out Carol White by less than 200 votes.
In the second ward, Rosalyn Bliss will continue her work on the commission. She ran unopposed.
Back in 2005 Jendrasiak held off Shaffer in a race for the first ward seat and extended his time as a commissioner to 12 years in office. During that time he's been widely supported by organized labor.
Shaffer is a 5th/3rd Bank branch manager and sat on the city's zoning board of appeals. Throughout his campaign, he's had Kent County Republican heavy weights behind him, including major donors Steve VanAndel and Doug Devos. Shaffer will take the first ward seat at the beginning of next year.
In the city's third ward, Commissioner Jim White held on to his seat. He beat out Carol White by less than 200 votes.
In the second ward, Rosalyn Bliss will continue her work on the commission. She ran unopposed.
