BRANCH COUNTY, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Sheriff John Pollack was given a third term in office by Republican voters Tuesday as he defeated challenger Johnny Lopez 5,123 to 2,298.
Pollack’s lopsided win wasn’t the only one in Tuesday’s Primary.
In the two contested races for seats on the Branch County Board of Commissioners, Second District Commissioner Leonard Kolcz defeated challenger Michael Thyng 900 to 373 while former Commissioner Jon Houtz defeated Greg Ware 699 to 433 in the Fourth District.
Branch County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Zachary Stempien defeated former County Prosecutor Terri Norris 5,034 to 2,221 in the G.O.P. Primary for Prosecutor.
Girard Township Treasurer Julie Waterbury won the G.O.P. Primary for Treasurer as she finished with 3,143 votes followed by Steve Rutz with 2,526 and Jessica Drewek Miller with 1,181.
Two incumbents were beaten in the five contested G.O.P. Primaries for Township Supervisor. Matteson Township Supervisor David Johnson lost to Kevin Barnes 205 to 63 while Sherwood Township Supervisor James Smith was beaten by Aaron Robbins 213 to 156. Bethel Township Supervisor Larry Lamontagne defeated Norbert Drust 108-98, Gene Brand defeated Kurt Barve 394-272 in Quincy Township and Union Township Supervisor Ralph Strong defeated challenger Gary Chester 260 to 176.
In the Algansee Township Trustee race, Rodney Bassage finished first with 247 votes followed by Jason Shilling with 241 and Harold Sneath with 126.
The voter turn out was the highest for an August Primary in Branch County in over a decade as about 30 percent of registered voters cast a ballot.
