Voters in Sumpter Township chose Republican Bart Patterson to serve as the new treasurer of the township during voting on Tuesday.
Patterson received 1,717 votes while his Democratic opponent Sheena Barnes was the choice of 923 voters according to unofficial tallies of votes early Wednesday morning. Patterson will complete the partial term which will expire Nov. 20, 2024.
Patterson received 65 percent of votes cast while Barnes received 35 percent of total votes, according to reports from Wayne County.
Patterson, 55, is a 26-year resident of the township. He and his wife are the parents of two adult children and grandparents of two children.
Patterson has owned and operated his own construction remodeling company for 30 years and following graduation from high school attended trade college.
During the campaign, Patterson said he hoped his skills as an entrepreneur would help the township plan for future growth while protecting the township’s financial health. He said planning can improve the township standard of living through balanced development.
Patterson was appointed to the township planning commission where he has served for two years. He is active in his church where he serves in the children’s ministry and is also a SCUBA diving instructor. He is also a CPR/First Aid/AED instructor with the Red Cross.
Barnes, 62, has previously been unsuccessful in campaigns for Sumpter Township trustee, clerk and treasurer. She was appointed to a partial term as a trustee in 2018. Barnes has operated a BBQ food service from a truck on her Sumpter Road residence for nearly 35 years.
