CROWDED BALLOT IN THE RACE FOR BERRIEN COUNTY ELECTIONS

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
It’s a crowded ballot this November for Berrien County voters with numerous races and a handful of proposals for people to decide. In addition to local races, federal and state races are on the ballot for the Presidency, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress and State House races as well as a number of countywide offices.
The U.S. Senate race pits Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers in their bid to succeed Democrat Debbie Stabenow who is retiring.
There are two races for the U.S. House of Representatives with north Berrien County residents deciding the race for the fourth congressional district between incumbent Republican Bill Huizenga of Zeeland and Democrat Jessica Swartz of Kalamazoo.
Central and south Berrien County residents are in the fifth congressional district where the race is between incumbent Republican Tim Walberg of Jackson and Democrat Libbi Urban of Buchanan. The U.S. House of Representative terms are for two years.
At the state level, incumbent 37th State House Representative Republican Brad Paquette is being challenged by Democrat Angela Jones. Both are from Niles. Paquette has served three two-year terms in the State House. The 37th state house district covers central and southern Berrien County as well as parts of Cass County.
The 38th State House District covers the area along the Lake Michigan shoreline from New Buffalo north to Holland. Incumbent Democrat Joey Andrews of St. Joseph is being challenged by Republican Kevin Whiteford of South Haven.
The northern half of Berrien County is in the 39th State House District. Incumbent Republican Pauline Wendzel of Watervliet is being challenged by Democrat Kerry Tapper of Paw Paw. That district also covers parts of Van Buren and Allegan Counties.
At the county level, there are contested races for judge, prosecutor, sheriff and county clerk. The judge term is six years, while the other terms are four years.
There is one contested judicial race in Berrien County this November with two other uncontested races. Incumbents Brian Berger and Angela Pasula are running unopposed for new six-year terms in the Probate and Circuit Courts respectively.
Two people are running for the one six-year term as a District Court judge after incumbent Sterling Schrock announced his retirement. Former county magistrate Sherri Cochran Frame and defense attorney Albert Mais, both of St. Joseph, face off for the district judge seat.
Interim County Prosecutor Amy Byrd, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Trevor Maveal. Byrd is from Benton Harbor and was appointed prosecutor when Steve Pierangeli resigned in June. She was previously an assistant prosecutor as was Maveal, a St. Joseph resident, prior to Maveal going into private practice.
Interim Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit of New Buffalo is being challenged by Al DiBrito of St. Joseph. DiBrito is running with no party affiliation. Heit was appointed sheriff last December after Paul Bailey announced he was retiring a year before his term ended. Both have law enforcement experience: Heit was previously the Undersheriff, while DiBrito is retired F.B.I.
The race for County Clerk is between two newcomers: Republican Stacy Loar-Porter of Stevensville and Democrat Jessica Jackson of Niles. The winner will succeed Sharon Tyler who decided not to run for re-election for clerk, instead running for the County Board of Commissioners for the Niles area.
There are no contested races for County Treasurer, County Register of Deeds, County Drain Commissioner and County Surveyor. Incumbents Republicans Shelly Weich, Lora Freehling and John Kamer are running unopposed for treasurer, register of deeds, and surveyor, respectively, while newcomer Republican George McManus is unopposed for drain commissioner.
In county board races, commissioners representing central county districts are running unopposed in the November election while there are contested commissioner races in the fourth, fifth, sixth, ninth and 12th commission districts.
There are a number of local races and proposals on the November ballot. In the south county, there are contested races in Galien Township for supervisor and trustee, the city of Buchanan where six people are running for two commission seats, and the city of Niles where there are contested races for all four City Council seats on the ballot.
Proposals on the ballot include two proposals for a park millage renewal and a new road millage in New Buffalo city, a new park millage proposal in Niles city and a recreational marijuana proposal in Niles Township. Three Oaks Township residents will vote on fire protection and ambulance millage renewals.
People have until this Friday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m. to file paperwork to run as write-in candidates for the Nov. 5 election.
Berrien County Elections Administrator Kathryn Klemesrud said that those interested in running as a write-in candidate must file a Write-In Candidate Declaration of Intent with the proper filing official for the office they are seeking.
Those running as write-in candidates for local school boards must file at the county and she suggests contact the County Clerk’s Elections Department ahead of time to make an appointment. Candidates can email elections@berriencounty.org or call 269-983-7111, extension 8011 to make an appointment.
She said those filing to run as write-in candidates so far are two people for vacant seats on the Sodus Township Library Board, four people for vacant seats on the Berrien Springs, Eau Claire and Niles School Boards, one person for the Buchanan City Commission and one person for Weesaw Township Treasurer.