(UNDATED) – The newly created 17th Michigan State Senate District will have new representation in 2023.

During Tuesday’s Primary Election, newcomer Jonathan Lindsey defeated incumbent 21st District Michigan State Senator Kim LaSata for the Republican nomination 21,714 to 13,628. LaSata served one term as the 21st District State Senator.

Lindsey is a native of Branch County and a graduate of Bronson High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Yale University in Political Science, and then spent seven years in the United States Army as a Green Beret. After leaving the Army, Lindsey worked as an executive in the private sector.

The newly created 17th Michigan State Senate District consists of all of St. Joseph, Branch and Cass Counties, along with portions of Berrien, Calhoun, Hillsdale and Jackson Counties.

Lindsey will now face Democrat Scott Rex Starr in the November General Election. Starr ran unopposed and received 11,696 votes.