Brown and Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson were the top two vote-getters from a pool of six Republican candidates for the state post. During a subsequent vote, a pool of more than 1,000 delegates chose Johnson by a margin of only 115 votes.

Brown, who is in his eighth and final year as a state senator due to term limits, had the endorsement of incumbent Terri Lynn Land.

Johnson, meanwhile, will go on to face Democrat Jocelyn Benson, in the November general election.

The Michigan Republican Party will stage its convention starting Saturday in East Lansing.

Brown, 56, is one of six Republican candidates for the state position. He received a major boost this week when term-limited incumbent Terri Lynn Land gave her endorsement and support to Brown.

Whether Brown gets the GOP nod will depend on the vote of the 1,074 delegates who will choose their party’s pick for Secretary of State and a number of other state posts.

State Democrats chose Detroit resident Jocelyn Benson, a Wayne State University assistant professor of law, to represent their party for the Secretary of State in the November general election.

Brown, a former member of the Sturgis City Commission and St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, is term limited as a state senator.

The location has been operational for about three weeks, but an ‘Office Opening Party’ last Thursday evening (August 5th) marked the official kick-off.

Spade said, “It’s a very nice location. We have plenty of room for volunteers, and we’re welcoming people to meet Allie Muchmore, who is our campaign manager and is running things for us out of this office, and to come in and pick up our literature and feel free to volunteer with us.”

Spade, a resident of Adrian in Lenawee County, said, “I think it’s going to be a very exciting last three months.” He said, “I think we’ll be really competitive.”

Spade, who served in the Michigan House for six years, is vying with another former state representative, Republican Bruce Caswell of Hillsdale, for the Senate seat currently held by state Senator Cameron Brown. Brown, a Republican lawmaker from Fawn River Township, is barred from seeking re-election because of Michigan’s term limits law.

The telephone number for the campaign office in Three Rivers is (269) 718-1051.

Balog and Jim Bippus were competing for the District 3 county seat, which is being vacated by Mike Dunlap. Balog secured the two-year post with 58 percent of the 550 votes cast in the race.

The 54-year-old Niles native said he will resign his position as mayor at the end of the year and join the seven-member county board in January. As a county commissioner, Balog will represent the city of Three Rivers and one precinct of Lockport Township.

Meanwhile, a pair of incumbents seeking two more years to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners will join Balog in January, as there are no Democratic challengers in the November general election.

Jerry Ware will represent District 5 through 2012, thanks to his 31-vote victory Tuesday over Monte Bordner. Ware’s district includes all or portions of Fawn River, Florence, Sturgis and White Pigeon townships.

In addition, John Dobberteen earned a seventh two-year term to the board by defeating Caralee Mayer in a District 7 contest that pitted two former mayors of Sturgis. Dobberteen claimed nearly two-thirds of the vote. District 7 covers the city of Sturgis.

Newcomer Don Eaton ran unopposed and like the rest of Tuesday’s winners, will not face competition in November. He will represent District 6, taking the place of David Pueschel, who has decided to not seek re-election. District 6 covers all or portions of Burr Oak and Sherman townships.

St. Joseph County Clerk Pattie Bender said 15.9 percent of the county’s voters participated in Tuesday’s primary election. Out of 40,171 voters, 6,411 went to polls.

In the 6th District congressional race, incumbent Fred Upton defeated Jack Hoogendyk by a margin of 57 to 43 percent.

Steve Yorks, executive director of the SJCTA, said he appreciates the vote of confidence St. Joseph County residents have in the agency, as evidenced by the 61 percent of the vote of support it attracted.

The 0.33-mill amount will generate about $600,000 annually, starring in 2011.

By a vote of 132 to 56, the renewal will take effect in 2011 and cover a five-year period. It will raise about $54,300 a year to cover emergency-services protection provided by the Leonidas Township Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance.

Lori on Monday presented village officials a state flag that was flown over the capitol on June 21. The flag was raised below the U.S. flag on the flagpole outside the village’s municipal building.

First-grade teacher Sheree Sorensen and her class in May asked the village if it would consider displaying the state of Michigan flag. The request came after the class studied the state during Michigan Week.

Village Manager Mark Honeysett said Lori was happy to oblige and was proud to deliver the flag in person.

Lori said the ability to get the budget approved months before it was due could be attributed to the efforts of first-term lawmakers from both parties. Lori said the group had been pushing behind the scenes to get the budget approved earlier in the year so schools will have time to adjust their budgets accordingly.

Lori, a Constantine-area resident, said the matter is a victory for the bipartisan freshman caucus. He said that when people are committed to working together instead of fighting, it’s possible to find compromises to which both sides can agree.

The state’s K-12 education budget is on its way to Gov. Granholm for her endorsement. The rest of the state’s budget, meanwhile, remains to be completed. Lori said he supports legislation to move the budget deadline to July 1 – three months before the start of the new fiscal year and dock lawmakers’ pay for each day the budget is late.

In a press release issued Thursday, Lori said he supports legislation that limits drivers with a Level 2 graduated license to only one passenger under the age of 21. An exception would be made for immediate family members.

The bill under review also prohibits young drivers from using cell phones or other wireless devices while operating a motor vehicle, except to report an emergency.

A Level 2 graduated license applies to new drivers for the first six months in a vehicle without adult supervision. Lori said he expects a vote in committee to be taken soon before the bill heads to the full House for a final verdict.