2008 Bay County Executive election

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2008 Bay County Executive election
 2004November 4, 2008 2012  
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Nominee Thomas L. Hickner
Party Democratic
Popular vote42,534
Percentage98.53%

Bay County Executive before election

Thomas L. Hickner
Democratic

Elected Bay County Executive

Thomas L. Hickner
Democratic

The 2008 Bay County Executive election was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent County Executive Thomas L. Hickner ran for re-election, seeking a fifth term. He faced Mark McFarlin, the 2004 Republican nominee for County Executive, in the general election, and won renomination by a wide margin. In the general election, Hickner faced no opposition and was re-elected unopposed.

Contents

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

Hickner ran for re-election to a fifth term in office, emphasizing his record as County Executive in stewarding the county's finances. He was challenged by McFarlin, his 2004 Republican opponent and a frequent candidate for local office, who argued that, "after 16 years, four terms, we need new leadership." Hickner criticized McFarlin as inexperienced, noting, "The fact that I've only seen Mark in the building once, and he's never requested a copy of the budget, I'm not sure he understands the complexity of the organization." [1]

The Bay City Times endorsed Hickner, praising him for having the "background, experience, and a proven track record of fiscal leadership." The Times noted that, "[u]nder Hickner's tenure, the county time and again has enacted initiatives that set—and are still setting—the tone for state and national policy debates," including "[p]rescription drug discount cards, a Bay Health Plan for the working poor, a phosphorus lawn fertilizer ban and debate over a proposed tax to support the Health Plan." [2] Hickner ultimately defeated McFarlin in a landslide, winning 71 percent of the vote.

Results

Democratic primary results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Thomas L. Hickner (inc.) 8,257 70.92%
Democratic Mark McFarlin3,36428.89%
Democratic Write-ins220.19%
Total votes11,643 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

No candidates filed for the Republican nomination.

Results

Republican primary results [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Write-ins 99 100.00%
Total votes99 100.00%

General election

Results

2008 Bay County Executive election [4]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Thomas L. Hickner (inc.) 42,534 98.53%
Write-in 6361.47%
Total votes43,170 100.00%
Democratic hold

References

  1. 1 2 Stanton, Ryan J. (July 17, 2008). "Hickner, McFarlin square off again, this time both as Democrats". The Bay City Times . Bay City, Michigan. p. 3A. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  2. "Hickner for four more years as county executive". The Bay City Times . Bay City, Michigan. July 29, 2008. p. A8. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  3. 1 2 "August 5, 2008 Primary Election" (PDF). Bay County Clerk. August 15, 2008. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  4. "November 4, 2008 General Election" (PDF). Bay County Clerk. 2008. Retrieved July 4, 2025.