You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Tue, Aug 7, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.

Pratt wins primary in race for Washtenaw County water resources commissioner

By Amy Biolchini

080712_RJS_001_Evan_Pratt.jpg

Water resources commissioner candidate Evan Pratt interacts with supporters at the local Democratic contingent party at the Heidelberg in Ann Arbor Tuesday night.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

With the endorsement of the official whose office he's seeking, Evan Pratt earned himself a spot on the November ballot for the position of Washtenaw County water resources commissioner with the results of Tuesday's primary election.

Pratt lead the race with 72 percent of the vote while his opponent in the Democratic primary, Harry Bentz of Ann Arbor, garnered 27 percent of the vote.

Longtime county employee Janis Bobrin will be vacating her role as water resources commissioner when the winner of the November election takes office.

Bobrin endorsed Pratt quickly on the 2012 campaign trail. Pratt, 47, of Ann Arbor, is an engineer for the Spicer Group - an engineering, surveying and planning firm in Belleville.

Tuesday night, Bobrin watched the election results roll in with Pratt and the local Democratic party contingent at the Heidleberg in Ann Arbor.

Bentz, 61, of Ann Arbor, worked for several decades as a bus driver with Ann Arbor Public Schools and now drives the airport shuttle for AirRide. Bentz has a degree in accounting.

This is the first time Bentz ran for political office, and has said his motivation for running was to put an ordinary, working-class citizen in office.

Pratt will face Republican candidate Eric Scheie of Ann Arbor in November. Scheie ran for a seat on the Ann Arbor City Council in 2011 on the Republican ticket, but was defeated by Democratic incumbent Marcia Higgins.

Eric_Scheie_headshot_2011.jpg

Eric Scheie

Scheie, 58, is legal consultant, property manager, writer, concerned citizen and local activist.

He bought a house here and also maintains a residence in Berkeley, California, where he's licensed to practice law. He moved to Ann Arbor a few years ago with his wife, who is working on a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Michigan. Scheie said he's become very attached to Ann Arbor and would like to stay here.

The office, formerly known as the drain commissioner, is a full-time administrative position with the county. It comes with a $101,528 annual salary and a four-year term.

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.