New faces to join Legislature’s ranks

Of the 11 candidates who won open legislative seats in contested races this week, three are Democrats -- one of whom used to be a state representative. That’s Jeff Smith, who will take the place of Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, D-Alma, come January. Smith used to represent the 93rd district in the state Assembly from 2007 to 2011. There’s also Dem Jodi Emerson, who won a four-way primary in August, and ...