A Sturgis educator has advanced to the next level in his quest to become the next state representative for residents of Cass and St. Joseph counties.

Aaron Miller has won the GOP nod for the 59th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, edging out fellow St. Joe county contenders John Bippus, Roger Rathburn, and Bob Sills, according to unofficial results from both counties. Miller secured the nomination with 2,670 votes, over 600 more than the second closest contender, Bippus, of Three Rivers.

Miller secured the nomination despite coming up short among Cass County voters. Miller received 456 votes from the local electorate, behind both Bippus, with 770, and Rathburn, with 498 votes. Sills trailed behind the rest of the pack with 210 votes.

Miller will go on to face Democrat Mike Moroz, of Dowagiac, for the seat in November. Both men are vying to succeed incumbent Republican Matt Lori, who cannot run again due to term limitations.