Michigan lawmaker who was arrested in June loses reelection bid in Republican primary

CHARLEVOIX, Mich. (AP) — A challenger in northern Michigan defeated a Republican state lawmaker who made headlines in June when he was arrested in the capital city.

Parker Fairbairn won the Republican primary election Tuesday over Rep. Neil Friske and will advance to the fall election.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t achieve the results we had all hoped for, but the people of the 107th have spoken, and now it falls upon us to accept the unfortunate outcome,” Friske said on Facebook.

Friske was arrested in June when Lansing police responded to reports of possible gunshots in the middle of the night. He has not been charged and denies wrongdoing.

Friske will remain in office through Dec. 31. He represents Charlevoix and Emmet counties and portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa and Mackinac counties.

Friske’s family operates a popular fruit orchard in Charlevoix County.