Congressman Fred Upton's string of victories marches on as he easily defeated challenger Paul Clements of Kalamazoo in the 2016 election. In declaring victory, he called a huge collection of staff and supporters to the stage and once again reached across the aisle saying "Seventy percent of the people today say this country is on the wrong track. They are tired of the divisiveness, they're tired of the squabbling, and they want people to go to Washington to try to fix the problem. With this team we can do it."
Upton told the crowd, "My message to my new colleagues who get sworn-in in January, is let's get to the bottom of it. Let's take the best ideas on both sides, and let's work together whether it's immigration, the deficit, health care, or finding cures, we'd better be on the same stage, because that's where our voters — our constituents — want us to be." He said, "I'll give you this promise, I will give it my level best to make sure that I'm on that stage with all of you."
Before calling newly elected State Representative Kim LaSata to the stage, Upton pulled an iconic white flag with a blue "W" on it and declared it had been a great year for him personally…with the Cubs first World Series championship in 108 years.
LaSata was flanked on the stage by her children and husband Charlie LaSata who preceded her in that seat twelve years ago. She told onlookers, "The framers of our government, when we were decided what type of government we would have, thought about people like me and hopefully maybe some of you people out there, too, in hoping that citizens would step up and offer themsevles up to represent their communities. So, when I decided to run, it wasn't because I had any political aspirations, I just come from a family of hard workers who want to get the job done."
Just as was the case in the August primaries, voters across Berrien County were in a giving mood for tax proposals Tuesday. Voters in the City of New Buffalo passed a bond proposal 594 to 317…Hagar Township voters gave the thumbs up to a operating millage renewal 886 to 708…Weesaw Township voters approved a road millage request 629 to 302, and a measure for emergency services in the Village of Michiana will keep police, fire and ambulance services rolling into the future on a 72 to 40 vote.
The toughest measure of the night has been for Lake Michigan College which has see-sawed back and forth all night with anywhere from 200 to 500 votes swinging back and forth between victory and defeat. With 63 of 70 Berrien County precincts and 7 of 9 Van Buren County precincts numbers in, the college millage was 516 votes ahead.
Another unfinished return is in the Niles Community School District where with just over half of the votes counted, the millage renewal for building and site sinking fund levy was comfortably ahead by a vote of 2,968 to 1,916.
Berrien County will have a trio of new County Commissioners. Democrat Don Meeks defeated Michael Sleep II 2,367 to 1,087 to replace Marletta Seats who did not run for re-election opting to try for the 79th State House seat won by Kim LaSata, and challenger Ezra Scott, a Republican defeated long time Democrat Andy Vavra 3,384 to 2,993, while Republican Michael Majerek defeated incumbent John Klimek 2,067 to 1,712.
Congressman Fred Upton displays his "W" flag from Wrigley Field in declaring victory over Paul Clements…
Upton calls newly-elected State Rep Kim LaSata and her children to the stage…
