Sen. John Proos won comfortably over challenger Bette Pierman in the race for District 21’s State Senate seat in Tuesday’s election.

Proos, R-St. Joseph, gathered 64 percent of the vote, winning with 45,586 votes to Pierman’s 25,092.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to continue serving the residents of Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties and carry our Southwest Michigan values to the state legislature,” said Proos, who joined the State Senate in 2010 after serving as State Representative from the 79th District from 2005 to 2010.

In Cass County, Proos received 8,672 votes to Pierman’s 4,552. In Berrien County, he got 27,511 votes to Pierman’s 15,571.

“I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support I have received throughout the campaign,” Proos said. “I appreciate everyone who took the time to knock on doors with me or placed a yard sign in their front lawn or who braved the rain and the cold to vote for me.”

Proos, who celebrated at an election night victory party at the Inn at Harbor Shores in St. Joseph, won all precincts in Niles and Buchanan, and two of three in the City of Dowagiac, according to results from electionmagic.com.

 

State Rep. District 78

Incumbent Dave Pagel retained the State Representative seat for District 78 by a wide margin over Democratic challenger Cartier Shields.

Pagel, of Berrien Springs, brought in 67 percent of the votes, winning with 15,360 votes to Shields’ 7,488.

“It is humbling and very rewarding to win an election again by a pretty good margin,” said Pagel, a Republican. “I appreciate everyone’s support and don’t take it for granted.”

Pagel was elected to the House in 2012.

“It has been an honor to serve in this first term and I look forward to a second term where I can hopefully play more of a leadership role in Lansing,” he said.