Election results bring new state leadership, local millage approvals in Tri-City Area
Voters across Berrien and Van Buren counties made their selections leading up to and on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the 2026 General Election, deciding races for federal and state offices, local government, school boards and several ballot proposals. While many major races have been called, other results remain incomplete at press time as election officials continue tabulating and reviewing votes.
Michigan voters selected new leadership for several of the state’s highest offices, while Tri-City voters approved local proposals concerning public safety and school funding. Some local elections had not yet been independently confirmed at the time of printing.
All election results remain unofficial until certified by the appropriate county and state boards of canvassers. Readers can find links to live election results for both Berrien and Van Buren counties at www.tricityrecord.com/elections/11-3-2026.
Federal and state offices
In Michigan’s race for U.S. Senator, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has been declared the winner over Republican Mike Rogers by the Associated Press. El-Sayed will serve a six-year term, replacing retiring Senator Gary Peters.
Michigan’s governor race also resulted in a Democratic victory, with Jocelyn Benson defeating Republican John James for the four-year term. Benson, currently serving as Michigan’s Secretary of State, will succeed Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is unable to seek another term due to term limits.
The Secretary of State office will be filled by Democrat Garlin Gilchrist II, who defeated Republican Anthony Forlini. Democrat Eli Savit also secured the position of Michigan Attorney General over Republican Doug Lloyd. Both offices carry four-year terms.
The race for Michigan’s 4th Congressional District remained among the closer contests of the election. Incumbent Republican Bill Huizenga faced Democrat Sean McCann and Green Party candidate Shafina Che Barnett for the two-year term.
In district-wide unofficial results available Wednesday morning, McCann held a lead over Huizenga, although the margin had fluctuated considerably as additional precincts reported. At Tri-City Record press time the Associated Press called the race in favor of McCann.
State legislature
In Michigan’s 20th State Senate District, Republican Chris Moraitis maintained a substantial lead over Democrat Dale Murney in unofficial returns Wednesday morning, with Green Party candidate Shamara Clay also on the ballot. The district-wide results remained unofficial.
For Michigan’s 38th State House District, incumbent Democrat Joey Andrews won reelection over Republican Mark Krieger and Green Party candidate Jett Newton.
In District 39, incumbent Republican Pauline Wendzel also secured another two-year term, defeating Democrat Kerry Tapper and Green Party candidate Jared Polonowski.
Both State House districts had reported the majority of their votes by Wednesday morning.
Judicial races
Michigan’s nonpartisan Supreme Court election resulted in the reelection of incumbent justices Megan Kathleen Cavanagh and Noah P. Hood. Both were declared winners by the Associated Press and will serve eight-year terms on the state’s highest court.
In Berrien County, Jennifer E. Fields and Myrene Kay Koch competed for the open six-year term on the 5th District Court. The outcome had not yet been independently confirmed for this report. Although early numbers show Fields in the lead.
Local public safety millages
Voters in the City of Coloma approved a new public safety millage intended to help fund fire, police and ambulance services.
The measure authorizes a 1.0-mill levy for 20 years, from 2026 through 2045, and is estimated to generate approximately $45,765 in its first year.
City of Watervliet voters also approved the renewal of the Watervliet Joint Fire Department millage. The proposal renews a 1.9712-mill levy for two years, through 2028, continuing financial support for local fire protection services.
The fire department millage is expected to generate approximately $93,356.69 in its first year.
School funding proposals
In Van Buren County, voters approved the Hartford Public Schools operating millage renewal. The five-year proposal renews the district’s 18.5-mill operating authorization through 2031, with an additional 0.5 mill available only if necessary to restore reductions required under Michigan’s Constitution.
The district estimates an 18-mill levy will generate approximately $1,382,534 in its first year.
Coloma Community Schools also presented voters with a sinking fund millage renewal proposal. The measure sought to renew the existing 1.1825-mill levy for 10 years, from 2028 through 2037, for school building improvements, security, technology and other permitted purposes.
If approved, the proposal would generate an estimated $658,517 in its first year. The outcome had not yet been independently verified at the time of printing.
Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees
Six candidates competed for three six-year positions on the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees.
Those seeking the seats were Vicki Burghdoff of Coloma, Mary Jo Tomasini of Stevensville, Brian Edlefson of St. Joseph, Debra Johnson of St. Joseph, Cynthia Miller of Benton Harbor and Julia Gourley Donohue of St. Joseph.
Complete results for the three contested seats had not yet been independently confirmed at press time. Early numbers show it to be a tight race for all candidates.
Alloyd Blackmon was the only listed candidate for a separate partial-term trustee position ending in December 2030.
Coloma Community Schools
Three candidates competed for two six-year positions on the Coloma Community Schools Board of Education. The candidates were Jon Smith, Devyn Hanko and Matthew Nicholls. Unofficial results show Smith and Hanko in the lead.
The district also had two four-year positions available, with Steven S. Groendyk and Doug Kraemer running unopposed for the two available seats.
Watervliet Public Schools
Four candidates sought three six-year positions on the Watervliet Public Schools Board of Education.
In Van Buren County, all three precincts had reported their results, with Tom Isbrecht and Carrie Wilder tied for the most votes, followed closely by Rod Kinzler. Kimberly Adams was fourth in the county’s reported returns. Isbrecht and Wilder each received 33 votes, Kinzler received 32, and Adams received 23 in Van Buren County.
Because the school district includes voters in both Berrien and Van Buren counties, the complete district-wide results require combining votes from both counties before the three winners can be confirmed. Berrien County has only four of seven precincts reporting at press time.
Hartford Public Schools
Hartford Public Schools also had two six-year Board of Education positions on Tuesday’s ballot, with Darcel Hildebrand and Fidel Mireles II running unopposed.
Both candidates currently serve on the district’s Board of Education, with Hildebrand serving as treasurer and Mireles as vice president.
Hartford city government
In Hartford, four candidates competed for three two-year positions on the City Commission. Candidates Gage Gardner, Mark Little, Charlene Sikes and Tom VanLierop were seeking the available seats. The final unofficial outcome had not been independently confirmed at the time of printing with Sikes and VanLierop ahead of Little and Gardner.
Other local government races
Several municipal offices in the Tri-City Area appeared on Tuesday’s ballot without opposition.
In the City of Coloma, Kelly Clements was the lone listed candidate for city clerk, while W. Sue Moser ran unopposed for treasurer. The three available city commissioner positions had three listed candidates: Nate Clements, Linda F. Freitag and Jason Hicks Sr.
The City of Watervliet also had three candidates for three city commissioner positions, with David Brinker, Pat O’Brien and Rebecca E. Oliphant appearing on the ballot without listed opponents.
Other uncontested township and local positions were decided throughout Berrien and Van Buren counties.
Statewide ballot proposals
Michigan voters made decisions on two statewide ballot proposals, both of which have been called.
Proposal 2026-1, which asked voters whether to convene a constitutional convention in 2027 for the purpose of revising Michigan’s Constitution, was rejected. Unofficial statewide returns showed approximately 74% of voters opposing the proposal and 26% supporting it.
The question appears on Michigan ballots every 16 years as required by the state constitution. Voters have continued to reject calling a new constitutional convention since the adoption of the current constitution.
Proposal 2026-2, concerning campaign-finance restrictions, was approved by Michigan voters. Unofficial returns showed approximately 81% voting in favor of the measure and 19% opposed.
The proposal restricts certain campaign contributions from regulated electric and gas utilities, government contractors and related parties. It also expands requirements concerning the disclosure of funding for political communications, including internet advertisements.
Results and certification
While several major races have been declared, results from Tuesday’s election remain unofficial until the election canvassing process is complete. Outstanding ballots, write-in votes and additional review may affect individual vote totals.
Due to the nature of printing and shipping the newspaper, these results may have changed by the time of publication. Trusted online sources can provide the most up-to-date results listings.
The Tri-City Record has provided a page with direct links to both counties’ election results, allowing readers to view the latest available figures.
Live results are available at www.tricityrecord.com/elections/11-3-2026.
From Michigan’s next governor and U.S. senator to decisions concerning local schools, public safety, and government leadership, the results of the November 3 election will help shape the direction of the Tri-City Area and the state for years to come.
