Politics

State Rep. Kim LaSata announced Tuesday she has filed paperwork to be a candidate for the 21st State Senate district in the 2018 election. LaSata, a Republican from the Berrien County community of Bainbridge, hopes to replace Sen. John Proos, who cannot seek re-election due to term limits. The 21st Senate District encompasses St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien counties. LaSata …

Dave Pagel has filed to run for the 21st State Senate seat. He is currently in his third term representing the 78th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. Pagel is running to succeed Sen. John Proos, who is unable to run again because of term limits. The 21st District includes all of Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties. Pagel …

An effort is underway to allow Michigan voters to cast an absentee ballot for any or no reason. A coalition that includes civil libertarians and political activists filed ballot language Monday with the state. If approved, the next step would be a campaign to collect 316,000 signatures to get the issue on the fall ballot. The proposed amendment to Michigan’s …

Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan has ruled out running for U.S. Senate next year. Upton, of St. Joseph, has held southwestern Michigan’s congressional seat for 30 years. He said Friday there was “a path” to running, but he has chosen “not to follow it.” He instead will seek re-election to the House, saying “we need focus and fortitude in …

A ballot featuring four unchallenged incumbents was the only matter before Three Rivers voters Tuesday. Mayor Tom Lowry, and commissioners Janell Hart, Pat Dane and Norm Stutesman all will return to serve two-year terms. Final vote totals were: Lowry, 199; Dane, 207; Stutesman, 223; Hart, 218. The 61-year-old Lowry, owner of Lowry’s Books and More, has served as mayor 18 …

A two-man field of Republicans jockeying to challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2018 could soon double in size. Rep. Fred Upton, who has held southwestern Michigan’s congressional seat for 30 years, took more steps toward a Senate run at the GOP’s biennial leadership conference this weekend on Mackinac Island. While he has yet to make a final decision, numerous Republicans …

School officials in White Pigeon and Constantine can start planning a variety of projects, as voters in the two school systems approved proposals Tuesday. Meanwhile, a sinking-fund millage request sought by Sturgis Public Schools failed Tuesday, the second defeat in less than nine months. In White Pigeon, a funding source that generates nearly $5 million over its five-year life was …

State Rep. Aaron Miller announced this week he will seek re-election to a third, two-year term in 2018. Though he was just re-elected in November to serve a term that began in January and concludes in December 2018, Miller said this week’s announcement ultimately lays to rest the possibility that he would vie for the seat of the 21st District …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, following his first meeting as chair of the House Elections and Ethics Committee, said he’s looking forward to working on policy over the next two years that brings even more integrity and efficiency to Michigan’s election system. Miller said elections play a critically important role in ensuring government is chosen by the people, and we should …

A Sturgis man who played a substantial role in Michigan’s endorsement of Donald Trump for president will be a part of the inauguration-related fanfare today in Washington. Rob Weitt served as one of the state’s 16 electors when Michigan’s Electoral College representatives a month ago confirmed the nomination of Trump for the nation’s top post. Weitt, 58, said the honor …