Berrien elects two new commissioners

Published 9:06 pm Monday, November 12, 2012

ST. JOSEPH — In four Berrien County Board of Commissioners contests Nov. 6, District 12 Commissioner Zach Perkins, R-Niles, lost his seat to predecessor John Klimek, a Democrat, 2,595 to 2,062. Klimek lost to Perkins in 2010.

In District 11, where incumbent John LaMore did not seek re-election, Republican Jim Curran, retired from the Michigan State Police and an 18-year member of the Brandywine school board, defeated Democrat Michael Ringler, 3,322-2,107.

Election returns maintained the status quo in the other two districts.

Republican R. McKinley Elliott of Buchanan, Administration Committee chairman, kept the District 10 seat over Democrat David Crumley, 3,281-2,287.

In District 9, Three Oaks Democrat Andrew Vavra prevailed over Republican challenger Ray Kirkus, 3,517-2,953.