Incumbent State Sen. Kim LaSata will face at least one challenger in her pursuit of a second, four-year term.
Branch County native Jonathan Lindsey announced earlier this month he will seek the state senate seat for the newly formed 17th District, a portion of which features what is currently the 21st District.
Lindsey, 37, is a Bronson High School graduate and the son of St. Joseph County Road Commission Manager John Lindsey.
The district stretches along a significant portion of the southern tier of Michigan and includes all of Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties, and portions of Berrien, Calhoun, Hillsdale and Jackson Counties.
Lindsey, a Republican, attended Yale University, earning a degree in Political Science. Subsequently, he spent time in the U.S. Army Special Forces and has worked world-wide as an executive in the private sector.
He said Michigan’s economy and returning to a constitutional form of limited government are high priorities.
The primary election for the seat will take place in August.