NILES — State Sen.-elect John Proos, R-St. Joseph, took his oath of office Monday afternoon at the Berrien County Courthouse in Niles.

Accompanied by his wife, Kristy, and children, Elena, Jack and Nora, Proos was sworn in by Judge Scott Schofield in front of a packed courtroom. His children also led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Niles Mayor Mike McCauslin introduced Proos, who he said led nearly 6,000 people by “cutting through bureaucratic red tape.”

“Jobs, growth and reform are the only ways Michigan will be delivered from the downward spiral,” McCauslin said, calling Proos the “champion of southwest Michigan.”

Proos thanked his family, colleagues and especially fellow St. Joseph resident U.S. Rep. Fred Upton for his mentorship.

“We all have an interest and a stake in the success of southwest Michigan,” he said of himself as a senator and his 300,000 constituents.

“The challenge ahead is great.”