BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – Most of the candidates for township offices in Branch County ran unopposed in Tuesday’s primary, but there were contested races for some positions, and there will also be a handful of contests set for the November general election.
In Batavia Township, Michael Crenshaw and Taylor Fraser won the two open trustee positions, with 112 votes for Crenshaw and 82 for Fraser. Daniel Rinehart had 63.
In Bethel Township, Lawrence LaMontagne won the race to succeed Norbert Drust as township supervisor. La Montagne defeated James Webb 92-77. Karen Ratkowski prevailed over Clarissa Nowak 109-68 in the treasurer race.
Butler Township will have a pair of contested races in November, as incumbent Democratic Supervisor Reggie Ivey will be challenged by Republican Gary Smith. Democrat Eileen VanVleet and Republicans Christopher Brenner and Janis Olney will run for the two trustee openings. All ran unopposed in the primary.
Girard Township Supervisor Gene Easterday won re-election by the slimmest of margins. Easterday defeated Philip AcMoody by just one vote, 198-197.
In Kinderhook Township, Cynthia Carpenter defeated Michael Exelby 138-126 in the clerk’s race, and Terri Jo Duncan-Smith doubled up Dwayne Weber 160-81 in the race for township treasurer.
Matteson Township Supervisor Dennis Schumacher, a Democrat, will square off against GOP nominee David Johnson in November. Both ran unopposed in the primary.
Coldwater Township Supervisor Don Rogers won his Republican Primary on Tuesday as he defeated write-in candidate Mike Thompson 488-15.
And in Union Township, Clint Burdick and Bryan Washburn won the two open trustee positions. Burdick led with 159 votes, followed by Washburn with 149. Larry Timm finished third with 99 votes.
