By Staff
NILES - John LaMore was on an airplane, somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, when his victory in Tuesday's primary election was secured.
In a close race, the former Niles Township Fire Chief edged out incumbent Jim Converse to represent the Republican Party for Berrien County Board of Commissioner's 12th District in November's general election.
He received 533 votes and Converse finished with 444.
LaMore and his wife, Nancy, left Chicago Monday night for a vacation in Ireland. They were to arrive in Dublin at about 9 a.m. EDT today.
On Tuesday afternoon, LaMore was hopeful about the election.
His friend, Niles City Council member Scott Clark, who LaMore tapped to speak for him after the election results were in, said this morning LaMore thanks all of his many friends who helped with his primary election campaign.
78th District State Rep.
In another close race, incumbent Neal Nitz beat out challenger Bill Baber to be the Republican candidate for State Representative in the 78th District.
Nitz received 3,985 votes compared to Baber's 3,114 votes.
In an interview on Wednesday morning, Nitz extended his thanks to voters for putting their trust in him. "I would like to thank the residents of the 78th District for giving me this vote of confidence," Nitz said. "It was a vote that reassured me that I am doing the right thing in Lansing."
He now moves on to face Democrat Michael Gordon in the general election.
Sheriff
Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey will retain his office as he defeated John Behnke in a convincing fashion in Tuesday's primary.
Bailey received 14,400 votes and Behnke finished with 6,974 votes.
There is no Democratic challenger in November's election.
Drain Commission
In the four way race to be the Republican candidate for Berrien County Drain Commissioner, Roger Zilke narrowly defeated incumbent Izzy DiMaggio. Zilke received 7,105 votes, DiMaggio received 6,978 votes, Edward Heyn received 3,735 and Donald Young received 1,590 votes.
Zilke will face off with Democrat Mark White in the general election.
Proposals
All three county wide proposals, the Senior Citizens Proposal, the County Law Enforcement and Public Safety Proposal and the 9-1-1 Emergency System Proposal, passed with strong support.
Residents of the cities of Niles and Buchanan and townships of Bertrand, Buchanan, Niles and Howard voted to approve the Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service Proposal with a vote of 1,668 to 849.
City of Niles residents voted 431 to 230 in support of the Dial-A-Ride Transportation System Proposal.