COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Former Branch County Prosecutor Terri Ann Norris will be returning to that post, after defeating John Vincent in Tuesday’s primary election.
Norris, who currently serves as the county’s Public Defender, outpaced Vincent 54.79% to 45.21%, taking 2,309 votes compared to Vincent’s 1905. Norris won all but four precincts in the county, with Vincent taking Algansee, Butler, and Ovid Townships, as well as the City of Coldwater Precinct #1.
Zach Stempien stepped down from the job when he was appointed to the Branch County Circuit Court bench in April. Former Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz was appointed interim prosecutor by Stempien. Since he does not live in Branch County, he was not eligible to be on the ballot.
Norris was prosecuting attorney from 2009-2012, then served as a Branch County Commissioner for District 1for four years. She later ran for prosecuting attorney again in the August 2020 primary and lost to Stempien.
She was appointed as the county’s Chief Public Defender in July 2025. Vincent had been serving as her assistant.
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