Politics

The biggest prize up for grabs Tuesday in St. Joseph County was claimed by Nottawa resident Kevin Kane. Kane, 46, was the top vote-getter in the contest for St. Joseph County Probate Court judge. His opponent for the six-year, non-partisan position was Three Rivers native Kelly Ward. Kane will replace 73-year-old David Tomlinson, who has aged out after a 12-year …

In Tuesday’s 36th State House race, incumbent Steve Carra garnered 69 percent of the vote.  His closest competitor was Frank Perez with 20 percent of the vote.  Placing third was Michael Malmborg with 11 percent.

St. Joseph County sheriff candidate Chad Spence picked up an early lead in voting totals Tuesday and hung on to top four opponents to claim the highest elected law-enforcement position in the county. Unofficial vote totals show the 50-year-old Spence collected more than 49 percent of all votes, besting runner-up Jason Bingaman. The current undersheriff, Bingaman received nearly 30 percent …

A challenger to incumbent St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin prevailed during Tuesday’s primary election. Colon resident Deb Davis, who previously worked as an assistant prosecutor, earned more than 56 percent of all votes cast, while Marvin was endorsed by nearly 31 percent of the votes made in the three-person race. Davis will assume the four-year post Jan. 1 and …

Jeff Wenzel will return for a fifth term as St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner, as he fended off a challenger during Tuesday’s primary election. Wenzel fell behind early but picked up much-needed votes in the final hours of voting to defeat Josh Harter. Wenzel captured 5,282 votes, beating Harker by just 179 votes. Wenzel, a Lake Templene resident, has secured …

Two millage-renewal requests sought by two county agencies were passed by St. Joseph County voters Tuesday. The St. Joseph County Road Commission was successful in its request for a 10-year renewal of 1 mill to maintain $2.5 million annually. The road millage has been in place since 1994 and a renewal request has passed every decade since. Nearly a quarter …

A pair of contested races to St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners were decided during Tuesday’s primary election. First-term incumbent Luis Rosado fended off a challenge from David Hayslip, maintaining the 4th District seat by a margin of 54 percent of all votes to Hayslip earning more than 45 percent of the votes. Rosado, for the next four years, will …

Four incumbents on the White Pigeon Township Board were voted out of office Tuesday. In the race for supervisor, longtime board member Don Gloy was outvoted, 508 to 320, by challenger Jason Trosper. The term covers a four-year period. Meanwhile, Anita Casada eked out a win over incumbent Trudy Gloy to claim the township treasurer position. The unofficial vote was …

In Cass County, Clint Roach won the race for sheriff with 78 percent of the vote. The incumbent drain commissioner, Jeff VanBelle won reelection with 52 percent. Two county-wide millage renewals were approved in Cass County, for older citizens services, and for drug enforcement. A number of Cass County millage-renewals were successful. Marcellus Township voters approved renewals for road maintenance, …

The Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce has teamed with the Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce to present a St. Joseph County Political Forum. The two-night event will feature candidates for a number of local races. The first, which will start at 5 p.m. May 29th, will showcase the two contestants for drain commissioner followed by candidates for the five-person …