James Windell
When South Haven voters go to the polls on November 5, they will mark their ballots for the next President of the U.S. and for a new Senator from Michigan. But they will also be voting for candidates in several local contests as well.
First, South Haven voters must elect a Representative from the 4th District to take a seat in Congress. In that contest, Democrat Jessica Swartz is running against Republican Bill Huizenga, who is the incumbent.
A State Representative from the 38th District is also up for grabs. Joey Andrews, a Democrat who currently holds the seat, is opposed by Kevin Whiteford, a Republican.
Voters will also decide who will become members of the State Board of Education. Two Republicans, Tom McMillin and Nikki Snyder, are running against two Democrats, Theodore Jones and Adam Frederick Zemke. In addition, voters will cast ballots for two Regents of the University of Michigan. Running for the two regent positions are Denise Ilich and Shauna Ryder Diggs, Democrats, and Carl Meyers and Sevag Vartanian, Republicans. For Trustees of Michigan State University, Republican candidates Mike Balow and Julie Maday are running against two Democratic candidates, Rebessa Bahar-Cook and Thomas Stallworth III. And for Governors of Wayne State University, Democrats Rasha Demashkieh and Mark T. Gaffney are opposed by Republicans Michael Busuito and Sunny Reddy.
On the county level, several positions must be filled. However, running unopposed is Republican Susan Zuiderveen, a Republican Prosecuting Attorney, Daniel E. Abbott, a Republican for Sherriff, and Suzie Roehm, a Republican for County Clerk. Also running unopposed is Republican Trisha Nesbitt for County Treasurer.
For the position of Drain Commissioner for Van Buren County, Joe Parman, Republican, is facing no opposition. The same is true for County Surveyor Charles D. Lossie. There is a contest between Democrat Mia King and Republican Paul W. DeYoung for Register of Deeds. And the County Commissioner vacancy in District 1 finds incumbent Gail Lee Patterson-Gladney running again Michael Matheny, Republican.
On the non-partisan portion of the ballot, South Haven voters will fill several judicial posts. Andrew Fink is contending with Kimberly Ann Thomas for Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Kyra Harris Bolden is running against Patrick William O’Grady for a partial term, ending in January, 2029 for Michigan Supreme Court Justice.
Philip P. Mariani and Christopher P. Yates are running unopposed for the two vacancies on the Michigan Court of Appeals.
On the county level, Kathleen M. Brickley is the only candidate for Judge of the Circuit Court for the 36th District Court. Likewise, Susan Metzer is running without opposition for Judge of Probate Court.
Two members of the Board of Trustees of Lake Michigan College will be elected, but Joan M. Smith and Mark D. Weber are the only two candidates on the ballot.
But there are five candidates for three positions on the South Haven Public School Board. The five candidates are Leta Faye Covington, S. Grassflower, Justin Ingraham, Douglas Ransom and Malissa Acosta. Ransom, Grassflower, and Acosta are running for reelection to the Board.
