Chad Spence previously spent 25 years with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office in positions ranging from patrol deputy to detective to major crimes scene task force co-coordinator. The results of Tuesday’s primary election bring Spence closer to returning to the sheriff’s office, this time as its leader.
Spence has secured the Republican nomination for sheriff in November’s general election. With 100% of St. Joseph County’s precincts reporting unofficial results, Spence received 5,549 votes (49.29%). Spence, expected to run unopposed in November, faced four Republican challengers Tuesday.
“Thank you, citizens of our county, for trusting in me,” Spence said. “This is what it’s about. It’s about the people in our county. That’s what my job is, to serve our people. I also want to thank my family. They’ve gone through a lot in a 25-year career, as family members of law enforcement. That’s not easy, and they’ve supported me 100% in this new journey to go back into it.”
It started with a vision by his grandather, Spence said, something that he was unaware of at the time. That vision has carried all the way to Tuesday’s election.
“It’s been a pretty emotional day. The whole thing’s been pretty emotional. I don’t regret it one bit. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I’m so looking forward to serving our people. This isn’t about me. It’s about our people and doing what’s best for them. It’s doing things the right way,” Spence said.
Beginning January 1, 2025, the people of St. Joseph County are going to see something never before seen at the sheriff’s office, Spence said. It’s something he’s absolutely excited about.
“The team that we’re bringing in, the belief that everyone has in our team, there’s no way that you can beat that,” Spence said. “It’s been a very good day for our county. I’m very proud of everybody who helped in this process. So many people supported, sacrificing weekends and family events and other things to make this campaign successful.”
Saying that he’ll never be able to repay anybody back for the amount of work they put into his campaign and the sacrifices they made, Spence reiterated that Tuesday was an emotional evening for his family.
“But we spent it with family, because that’s what it’s about, and our team. I’m excited to bring those values into the department,” Spence said.
Elsewhere, incumbent state Rep. Steve Carra, a Republican from District 36, will face Democratic challenger Erin Schultes in November. District 36 includes 23 precincts in St. Joseph County and 12 in Cass County. Carra received 9,267 votes total, according to the results that need to be certified. Carra, who was not available for comment Tuesday evening, faced two Republican challengers.
“I feel like the community has spoken. They showed up and I appreciate that,” said Deborah Davis, who received the Republican nomination for St. Joseph County prosecuting attorney. “I really hope that I can make this community proud. I look forward to taking these next few months and connecting with the community so that I can be ready to go as soon as I am able.”
Davis is also expected to run unopposed in November. She said that until Tuesday evening, it had not dawned on her that she would be St. Joseph County’s first elected female prosecuting attorney.
“That’s a big win for ladies. I hope that some of the younger generation looks at this as something that they want to do, too, come back to their county and serve,” Davis said.
Two men sought to be the Republican candidate for St. Joseph County drain commissioner. Incumbent Jeffery Wenzel received 5,282 votes (50.65%). He is also expected to run unopposed in November.
“I would like to thank all the constituents in the county that realized what I’ve done in the past and what I’ll continue to do in the future,” Wenzel said. “I appreciate their support.”
Three candidates contended for two Republican nominations in the Park Township trustee race. Incumbent Tom Springer and challenger Bill Brislen secured the nominations Tuesday. Springer received 292 votes (41.18%). Brislen received 219 votes (30.89%).
“I had a lot of support from the other board members and from community members,” a thankful Brislen said. “The township is the closest thing to the citizens that we have. It’s a five-person board. Once that board meets, it’s no more politics. It’s people doing the best they can to make the community work for everybody.”
Brislen said his biggest priority will be working to defeat a Michigan Legislature bill that he said would remove townships’ powers of authority.
“That’s the biggest thing coming up, and I hope it works for us,” Brislen said.
Springer said he was happy about both the closeness of the results and overall voter turnout.
“I just want to continue the work that we’re doing in supporting the things people care about, like roads and getting broadband throughout the township. I think that if we continue to focus on that, we can do a lot of good for the people who elected us,” Springer said.
Two countywide initiatives were on Tuesday’s ballot. One concerned renewal of the road millage. The other concerned renewing the St. Joseph County Commission on Aging. Both passed.
Here is our recap of the results, which wil be official after the board of canvassing meets:
St. Joseph County Sheriff, Republican Primary
Dennis Allen: 1,407 votes (12.50%)
Jason Bingaman: 3,357 votes (29.82%)
Joseph Bingaman: 552 votes (4.90%)
Gordon Evilsizor: 380 votes (3.38%)
Chad Spence: 5,549 votes (49.29%)
Write-in candidates: 12 votes (0.11%)
State Representative, District 36, Republican Primary
Steve Carra: 6,926 votes in St. Joseph County (65.81%) and 2,341 votes in Cass County (77.67%)
Michael Malmborg: 1,198 votes in St. Joseph County (11.38%) and 272 votes in Cass County (9.02%)
Frank Perez: 2,361 votes in St. Joseph County (22.43%) and 394 votes in Cass County (13.07%)
Write-in candidates: 39 votes in St. Joseph County (0.37%) and seven votes in Cass County (0.23%)
St. Joseph County Prosecuting Attorney, Republican Primary
Deborah Davis: 6,061 votes (56.16%)
David Marvin: 3,335 votes (30.90%)
John McDonough: 1,361 votes (12.61%)
Write-in candidates: 35 votes (0.32%)
St. Joseph County Drain Commissioner, Republican Primary
Josh Harter: 5,103 votes (48.93%)
Jeffery Wenzel: 5,282 votes (50.65%)
Write-in candidates: 44 votes (0.42%)
Park Township Trustee, Republican Primary
Bill Brislen: 219 votes (30.89%)
Regina Chapman: 194 votes (27.36%)
Tom Springer: 292 votes (41.18%)
Write-in candidates: Four votes (0.56%)
Road Millage Renewal:
Yes: 7,425 votes (62.99%)
No: 4,362 votes (37.01%)
COA Renewal:
Yes: 8,411 votes (71.30%)
No: 3,385 votes (28.70%)
Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.
