Joe Graves Reclaims for 51st District Seat

Last winter Republican Joe Graves beat Democrat Steven Losey to serve a partial term for Michigan's 51st District House of Representatives.

Now  Graves will serve a full two-year term.

Graves defeated Losey 18,176 (53.32 percent) to 15,729 (46.15), according to unofficial and provided by the Genesee County Clerk's Office.

"Thank you to the 51st district for re-electing me as your state representative! I am humbled and honored by your support," Graves posted on Facebook early Wednesday morning.

Graves won with 53.10 percent of the vote to Losey's 42.17 percent of the vote in February's Special election for the seat.

Graves said fighting crime will continue be a focus area.

"Our district is sandwiched between Pontiac and Flint which are high violent crime areas. We also suffer from an extremely high unemployment rate. All residents want to feel safe in their homes and neighborhoods and as elected officials we need to do all we can to provide them with this service," Graves said. "I also believe crime is a deterrent for job providers and we must change this trend and current climate and the stigma associated with our area."

The seat is for a two-year term that pays a salary of $79,650 a year.

All results are unofficial and provided by the Genesee County Clerk's Office.