Here's what will be decided during Tuesday's election

Editor's note: The spelling of William Courliss' name has been corrected.

BRANCH COUNTY — Voters who did not vote early or absentee can cast their ballots at the polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

There are a few key millages and races on the county's ballots. Except for the 35th District house race and a few in the townships, the winner takes the seat with no Democrat in opposition,

The county is Trump Country, but locals are wondering if that will translate into votes for the America First Republicans, who put up or endorsed candidates in the sheriff's race, three county commission seats, and state representative.

Branch America First Republicans held a rally Friday night at the Parham Road Barn occasion center.

District 35 Michigan House of Representative

Adam Stockford, 43, who is married with four children and served as Hillsdale mayor for 10 years, is running on a record of city accomplishments.

A Hillsdale College graduate, Stockford won support from the America First group. He told them that with bad laws and bad policy coming from Lansing, "I'm more interested in being an impediment, an obstructionist to more reckless spending and bad policy."

Tom Matthew, a six-year Branch County Commissioner, gave up his seat to run. He ran on a record of law and order, working to add six new road patrol deputies to the sheriff's department.

Jennifer Wortz, 44, is the mother of four, now a grandmother, and is the fifth generation of a Hillsdale Waldron Gary Leininger family. She is the manager of the Branch County Conservation District. 

The Michigan State University graduate in agriculture and education runs a chicken production farm in Branch County.

As head of Moms for Liberty, which opposed COVID-19 restrictions, Wortz promised, "I will work to defend the rights of the youngest to the oldest and to hold true to our constitutional rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

In the conservative district, all three candidates received endorsement from Michigan Right to Life.

Branch County Sheriff

Michael Thyng, 66, of Bronson, after a seven-year military career, served as a Michigan State Police trooper for 20 years, retired, and became a Branch County sheriff deputy in January 2021. 

Thyng won the America First endorsement with his Second Amendment support and promised to enforce the Constitution.

Robin Swartz, 66, a 29-year Branch County Sheriff's Department veteran with 15 years as a road patrol sergeant, Swartz retired and went to the Michigan Department of Corrections for two years and is now a Coldwater Police school resource officer.

Swartz wants more training for deputies with new hires. Swartz said, "I believe that my knowledge from being out there is what we need to take the sheriff's office to a standard that the community deserves."

Fred Blankenship, 54, is the jail administrator who points out his administrative and budget experience in handling the large department.

Blankenship, a 28-year veteran of the sheriff's department and a 1994 criminal justice graduate from Grand Valley State University, is not a certified police officer. According to MCOLES, Blankenship could carry out all the duties of an elected Michigan sheriff.  

County Commission

District 1 incumbent Randall Hazelbaker faces America First challenger Jessica Green. The Coldwater mother of four cites national issues in her campaign but criticizes Hazelbaker for also serving on the Coldwater City Council.

District 2 incumbent Jon Houtz faces America First challenger chiropractor John Towers, 43, who moved from Washington State two and a half years ago to this area. "My purpose for running is to help be a voice and get people involved," Towers said.

District 5 incumbent Alan McClelland faces America First challenger David Mansfield, 62.

After 32 years in the military, he retired as a lieutenant colonel and moved to Archer Lake.

Mansfield, a fiscal conservative, said he would support small businesses and farming over big businesses and special interests.  

Richard Swanson, 63, of Bronson, a military retiree who attended commission meetings over the last two years supporting the "Constitutional County" resolution is in running in District 4. "We had a lot of laws come out of Lansing, that I didn't appreciate. They violate this little thing called the Constitution."

Swanson faces "Rick" Hollister, 67, a retired argi-businessman who grew up north of Bronson.

Ovid Township

The winner of the race for township supervisor between retired engineer Max William Benjamin and retired farmer Ben Losinski will be sworn in this month.

Supervision Jeff O'Dell resigned to move to the Manistee National Forest. The board decided to swear in the winner rather than name a temporary replacement.

O'Dell endorsed Benjamin, who worked with O'Dell as an assistant last year and attended township meetings for six years.

The county appointed Benjamin to the Board of Public Works, which oversees the Coldwater Lake sewer system.

Losinski moved to Shady Oaks from his Coldwater Township farm. He said he felt there was now time for public service.

Losinski expressed concern about the lack of zoning control over absentee owners of Air BnB rentals on the lakes

Algansee Township

Three candidates qualified for treasurer. Onalee Connin will face Sharon Atkinson in the August Republican primary. The winner then faces Democrat Kelli Kaufman in November,

Bethel Township

Current treasurer James Webb faces two candidates on the Republican ballot. Tracie Disbro and Tonia Vorce qualified.

Sherwood Township

Fred Haack did not seek re-election as trustee. Incumbent Jeff Brott will face Donisha Leonard and William Courliss. The top two will be elected.

Union Township

Incumbents Bryan Washburn and Bobbi Snyder will face Justin Jefferson on the August ballot. The top two in votes will be seated on the township board.

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Millages

Commission on Aging

COA seeks to renew its operating millage of 0.4857 mills for five years through 2029, which will raise an estimated $868,017 next year.

Branch Area Transportation Authority  

BATA wants a five-year 0.35 mill renewal to fund the BATA transit system, which is primarily used by elderly and disabled people. The millage will generate approximately $607,630 for the 2025 tax year. 

Quincy Community Schools 

Quincy Schools wants to renew its operating millage. The school system asks voters to approve 18.2277 mills in Quincy Community Schools for five years. If the millage is approved, the 2025 levy is approximately $1,577,827

Batavia Township 

Batavia Township requests a five-year renewal of 0.5 mills for fire protection and equipment for its membership in the Bronson Fire Association. Estimated 2025 taxes are $29,100 in the first year.

Union Township 

Union Township seeks a 4-year renewal of its 1 mill to maintain and operate the cemetery and fire protection. That would raise an estimated $140,000 in the first year. 

— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com 

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County August primary