Freers defeats Boedeker for district court seat

Voters in Macomb County settled a competitive judicial race on Tuesday, electing a local private attorney over a public prosecutor.

Dana Freers secured the six-year term on the 39th District Court by a margin of 2,446 votes. The final count stood at 11,433 for Freers and 8,987 for Derek Boedeker.

The victory places the 47-year-old Fraser resident in the role vacated by retiring Judge Joseph Boedeker. Freers is a Macomb County native and a graduate of Cousino High School in Warren.

Her professional background includes two decades of legal practice and service on the board of directors for Macomb County Community Mental Health. She is also a member of the Fraser Lions Club, Fraser First Booster Club, and Roseville Optimist Club.

In a questionnaire, Freers cited her 21 years of local residence and volunteer work as preparation for the bench. She stated she has handled every case type that could appear before a district court judge.

Boedeker, 33, serves as an assistant prosecutor for Macomb County. He raised in Roseville and now lives in Fraser. He acknowledged his supporters in a social media post on Wednesday morning.

Boedeker expressed gratitude to judges, elected officials, and community leaders who endorsed his campaign. He affirmed his continued commitment to the people of Roseville and Fraser.

Freers is married to Patrick O’Dell, the Fraser Mayor Pro Tem. She could not be reached for immediate comment the morning after the election.