Southwest Michigan 2025 Election Results Recap

Voters across Southwest Michigan headed to the polls last Tuesday to decide a range of local races and ballot questions. Turnout was steady across Branch, Berrien, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties, with incumbents holding most mayoral seats and voters approving several key school and infrastructure measures.

Across the region, voters largely favored maintaining public services and investing in educational infrastructure. Incumbents in major city leadership roles were re-elected in Kalamazoo, Portage, South Haven, and other municipalities, while modest turnout reflected consistent community support for transportation, library, and school millages throughout Southwest Michigan.

Below is a brief breakdown of last Tuesday’s results.

Branch County

It was a close contest in Branch County, where voters in the Bronson Community Schools district narrowly approved a $29.9 million bond issue by just 53 votes out of 1,747 cast. The measure passed 900 to 847, according to unofficial results from the county clerk’s office.

The proposal was tied 616–616 at one point with two precincts still reporting, but it ultimately passed after favorable results came in from the City of Bronson and Noble Township. The bond also carried in Batavia, Bethel, and Gilead Townships, while Matteson and Bronson Townships voted against it.

The approved bonds will fund major improvements at Anderson Elementary, including a new gymnasium, expanded cafeteria, air conditioning, and other classroom upgrades. The expansion will allow the district to close Ryan Elementary, with Anderson serving grades K–5. The 4.98-mill bond will also finance construction of a new eight-lane track at Bronson High School, replacing the current six-lane facility.

Voters in Bronson Township also renewed a fire protection millage of up to one mill for five years, passing 260 to 135, which is expected to raise about $50,000 in its first year.

In the City of Coldwater, all races were uncontested. Mayor Tom Kramer, First Ward Councilman Travis Machan, Second Ward Councilman James Knaack, and Fourth Ward Councilman Randall Hazelbaker were all re-elected without opposition. Jeff Budd, a former city manager and public utilities director, was elected to represent the Third Ward, succeeding Mike Beckwith, who chose not to seek re-election.

Berrien County

In Benton Harbor, Shaquille Turner and Deidre Fields led the City Commissioner At-Large race with 27.42% (484 votes) and 27.14% (479 votes), respectively, followed by Duane L. Seats II with 23.80% (420 votes) and Mary Alice Adams with 21.25% (375 votes).

In Ward 3, Juanita Henry was re-elected with 90.22% (203 votes), while Ethel Clark-Griffin won Ward 4 with 83.11% (187 votes).

In St. Joseph, Lisa Vetne led the at-large commissioner race with 1,427 votes (20.75%), followed by Michael Fernandez (1,240, 18.03%) and Mike Sarola (1,140, 16.58%).

Among ballot measures, voters in Niles supported the Dial-A-Ride transportation renewal 65.74% to 34.26%. Niles Township rejected a zoning referendum (61.14% no) but approved a marijuana establishments ban (57.78% yes).

Royalton Township renewed its fire millage (74.66% yes), while Weesaw Township passed both its fire truck and road renewal measures. Education proposals varied: St. Joseph Public Schools’ bond passed 55.65% to 44.35%, Eau Claire’s bond failed 61.93% to 38.07%, and Lake Michigan College voters renewed both operating (55.07% yes) and capital (56.92% yes) millages.

Calhoun County

Voters in Calhoun County approved both local measures appearing on Tuesday’s ballot.

In the Village of Tekonsha, residents backed the Road and Sidewalk Proposal by a margin of 66.7% to 33.3% (74–37), ensuring continued funding for infrastructure improvements within the village.

In the Olivet Community Schools district, voters renewed the Operating Millage with 59.4% (104 votes) in favor and 40.6% (71 votes) opposed, maintaining funding levels that support day-to-day school operations.

Cass County

In Dowagiac, Patrick Bakeman defeated Donald Lyons 958 to 220 in the mayoral race. City council winners included Tharan Suvarna (Ward 1), Laura Desilets (Ward 2), and Breanna Bundy (Ward 3).

Voters approved the Cass County Medical Care Facility millage renewal, 3,908 to 2,950, and endorsed a charter revision in Edwardsburg, 62 to 32. The Dowagiac Union Schools sinking fund millage narrowly passed districtwide by 14 votes after corrections across multiple counties.

Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson secured re-election with 64.34% (6,467 votes), defeating Chris Glasser (26.92%) and Robert E. Gray (8.25%). In the City Commission race, Drew Duncan (21.16%), Stephanie D. Hoffman (17.87%) and Jacqueline Slaby (16.67%) won seats among a crowded field.

Portage Mayor Patricia M. Randall retained her seat with 61.66% (8,067 votes) over Nasim Ansari (38.16%). City Council winners included Victor Ledbetter, Jihan Ain Young, and Kathleen Olmsted.

In Parchment, Robert D. Britigan III led the field for City Commissioner with 24.53% (298 votes), followed by Michael E. Conner (15.72%, 191 votes), Kristen Capelli (14.81%, 180 votes), and Tammy Cooper (13.99%, 170 votes). All four candidates were elected to the City Commission. It is expected that Britigan will be re-appointed as mayor by his fellow commissioners.

Countywide, voters renewed the Central County Transportation Authority millage 67.6% to 32.4%. Portage Public Schools passed a $132.4 million bond proposal 62.88% to 37.12%. Comstock, Galesburg-Augusta, and Parchment school bond requests were narrowly rejected. The Richland Community Library’s 0.75-mill proposal passed with 61.47% support.

St. Joseph County

In Three Rivers, Angel Johnston was elected mayor with 63.53% (784 votes), defeating Thomas J. Lowry (34.60%). Torrey Brown won the at-large commissioner seat with 95.15% (903 votes), and Pat Dane captured the 1st District seat with 95.11% (876 votes). The 3rd District was filled by a write-in candidate with 87.05% of votes.

County voters renewed the 911 emergency services millage by a wide margin, 89.32% to 10.68%, and approved the Constantine Public Schools operating millage renewal 56.77% to 43.23%.

Van Buren County

Annie Brown was re-elected mayor of South Haven with 57.80% (860 votes) to Mary Hosley’s 41.47%. In Hartford, Jane Danger won the mayor’s seat with 42.05% (127 votes), followed by Richard Hall (37.09%) and Tom VanLierop (20.53%).

City council winners included Eddie Polk (South Haven Ward 1), Thomas Capps (Ward 2), and Dave Flack (Ward 3). Hartford City commissioners Lindsy Morsaw, Nancy Spoula and Charlie Weeden won seats.

Voters approved multiple local proposals: Lake Michigan College’s general (69.64% yes) and capital (70.65% yes) millages, and the Van Buren District Library millage renewal (67.36% yes). A Dowagiac Union Schools proposal in the county was rejected 66.33% to 33.67%.

For full county-by-county results, use the table below.