By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – Dowagiac's Cass County Board of Commissioners seat was the only one which changed party hands Tuesday.
Incumbent John Cureton lost the August Republican primary in District 11 to Ron Matthews, but Democrat E. Clark Cobb prevailed Tuesday, 666 to 595 for Matthews.
Republicans retain control of the board by an 8-7 margin.
In District 1, Democrat Ed Goodman garnered 940 ballots unopposed.
In District 2, Republican Chairman Robert A. Wagel was also unchallenged, tallying 1,077 votes.
In District 3, Republican Cathy Goodenough withstood a challenge from Thomas Celie, 831-503.
District 4 saw Democrat Bill Steel retain his seat by eight votes, 709-701, over Gerald Salmen.
Gordon Bickel Sr. won re-election in District 5 without opposition, receiving 1,225 votes.
In District 6, Republican Charlie Arnold retained his seat with 712 votes, to 547 for Max Brown.
In District 7, Democrat David Taylor kept his seat, 807-672, against Jim Ralph.
In District 8, Republican Carl Higley Sr. easily won a new term over Rick Tighe, 1,010-765.
In District 9, Republican Ronald Francis, vice chairman, withstood a challenge from Judy Helpingstone, polling 927 to her 662.
Republican incumbent Dixie Ann File received a new term in District 10 with 746 to 709 for Kay Corss.
Unopposed Democrat Minnie Macon Warren won re-election in District 12 with 942 ballots.
In District 13, Democrat Johnie A. Rodebush's 809 ballots surpassed 669 for Cheryl A. Fortuna.
In District 14, Democrat Debbie Ann Johnson, with 754, kept her seat over former commissioner Dale Rose, with 614.
Republican Robert L. Ziliak tallied 1,129 votes to outdistance Dwane G. West's 700 in District 15.
Southwestern Michigan College's three non-partisan trustees were unchallenged: Paul D. File, 11,101; Jan. A. Kairis, 10,541; and Thomas F. Jerdon, 10,015.