By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
Area residents will have plenty of races to vote on in the upcoming Aug. 7 primary election as people start the electoral process that will result in new leaders being elected to county government, state government and the U.S. Congress this November.
There are primary races in three of 12 Berrien County commissioner districts. Six incumbent Berrien County Commissioners face no opposition either now or in November.
In Berrien County, the second district Republican primary pits incumbent Jon Hinkelman against William Hodge. The second district covers Bainbridge, Berrien and Pipestone townships and part of Watervliet. Hinkelman is the current county board chairman, Hodge has served on the county road and planning commissions.
Two people are vying for the Republican nomination for the sixth district county board seat where Jeanette Leahey is retiring. That district covers Sodus Township and part of the city of St. Joseph. Cornerstone Chamber President Chris Heugel is vying with Anthony Benhart III, the former Crystal Springs Cemetery superintendent.
In the seventh county board district, three people are vying for the Republican nomination to succeed Debra Panozzo who is retiring. That district covers the Stevensville area. Those running are former Lake Michigan College President Robert Harrison, retired Whirlpool executive Harry Burrit and business owner John Blahnik.
There will be new people representing the area in the 78th and 79th state house districts as well as the 21st state senate district. Current 78th State Rep. Dave Pagel is term-limited as is 21st State Sen. John Proos. Current 79th State Rep. Kim LaSata is giving up her seat to run for the 21st state senate seat against Pagel.
Voters will have to wade through crowded fields of candidates in both the 78th and 79th state house district races.
Six people are vying for the Republican nomination for the 78th state house seat, while five people are vying for the Republican nomination for the 79th state house seat. In addition, two people vying for the Democratic 79th state house district nomination in the August primary.
In the 78th state house district, the winner of the Aug. 7 Republican primary will face Democrat Dean Hill of Niles in November. Hill is making his second run for the seat, having lost to Pagel in 2016. The 78th district covers central and southern Berrien County and four townships in Cass County.
Those running in the Republican primary are attorney Steve Bury, Niles school board president Dana Daniels, air freight specialist Daniel Hinkle, former Niles City Councilman David Mann, Niles teacher Bradley Paquette and businesswoman Kelly Priede. All but Priede are Niles residents, Priede is from Sawyer.
In the 79th state house district which covers northern Berrien County, Republicans running are JoAnn DeMeulenaere of Bridgman, Bruce Gorenflo of St. Joseph, Maria Moon of St. Joseph, Troy Rolling of Benton Harbor and Pauline Wendzel of Watervliet. Democrats running are Joey Andrews of St. Joseph and Marletta Seats of Benton Harbor.
The 21st state senate district covers Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties in Southwest Michigan. LaSata, a St. Joseph resident, and Pagel, a Berrien Springs resident, are vying for the Republican nomination on Aug. 7 to see who will face Democrat Ian Haight of St. Joseph in November.
In the governor’s race, four Republicans and three Democrats are running for their respective party nominations this August to see who will face off in November to succeed Gov. Rick Snyder.
Republicans running for their party’s nomination are Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, State Sen. Patrick Colbeck, physician Jim Hines and Attorney General Bill Schuette. Democrats vying for their party’s nomination are former State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, former Detroit Department of Health Director Abdul El-Sayed and businessman Shri Thanedar.
People will also choose party nominees for the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrat U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican U.S. Rep. Fred Upton are unopposed for their party’s nominations.
For U.S. Senate, businessmen John James and Sandy Pensler are vying for the Republican nomination, while four area residents are vying for the Democratic nomination for the sixth district congressional seat now held by Upton.
Those running for the Democratic nomination are Western Michigan history professor
David Benac of Kalamazoo, retired scientist Rich Eichholz of St. Joseph, lawyer and businessman George Franklin of Kalamazoo and physician Matt Longjohn of Portage.
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