COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff John Pollack easily won re-election in Tuesday’s primary election, while a 20-year, 1.5 mill proposal for a new county jail went down to defeat, and the Branch County Board of Commissioners will have a new look in 2017.
With all 22 precincts reporting, Sheriff John Pollack easily defeated his opponent, Cailean Gee, 4038-1055.
The jail millage proposal was defeated with the “No” votes prevailing 3312-2227.
There will be three new faces on the Branch County Board of Commissioners next year, with two incumbents going down to defeat and a third, 2nd District Commissioner Dale Swift not running for election. In the 1st District, which includes the villages of Sherwood and Union City and Butler, Girard, Sherwood, and Union Townships, former Prosecutor Terri Norris defeated incumbent Commissioner Rod Olney 493-427.
In the 2nd District, which includes the City of Bronson and Batavia, Bethel, Bronson, Gilead, Matteson, and Noble Townships, former Bronson Mayor Leonard Kolcz defeated his opponent, Chad Everett, 674-195.
In the 4th District, encompassing the City of Coldwater Wards 1, 2, and 3, former Sheriff and County Commissioner Ted Gordon won over the incumbent Jon Houtz 553-432.
Current Commission Chair Don Vrablic and Commissioner Randall Hazelbaker ran unopposed in their respective districts.
Turnout was very light, with only 19.3% of Branch County’s registered voters casting ballots.
