COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – All five Branch County Commissioners seats are up for election this year but only two Commissioners are facing challenges in next Tuesday’s Republican Primary.
Commissioner Randall Hazelbaker is being challenged by Coldwater business owner Alexia Rish in a rematch of a Coldwater City Council race last year. Hazelbaker kept his fourth ward seat on the City Council when he defeated Rish 205-101.
Meanwhile, Commission Chair and former Sheriff Ted Gordon is facing a challenge from Scott Stevens who calls himself a citizen, not a politician. According to his Facebook page, Stevens manages a downtown Coldwater business and has been a firefighter for the Union City and Sherwood Township Fire Departments.
Commissioners Terri Norris, Leonard Kolcz and Don Vrablic are all running unopposed next Tuesday. There are no Democrats on the Primary ballot. All of the Commissioner seats are for two year terms.
Meanwhile, 16th District Republican State Senator Mike Shirkey is being challenged by Matt Dame.
Democrats will pick either Gretchen Driskell or Steven Friday to run against Seventh District Republican Congressman Tim Walberg in the fall.
Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians will be picking candidates from a crowded field for Governor while the GOP will select either John James or Sandy Pensler to run against Democratic U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow in November.
