(COLDWATER) – Two more individuals have thrown their hat into the political ring as candidates to be the next Branch County Sheriff.

Coldwater Police Department School Resource Officer Robin Swartz and Branch County Sheriff’s Department Captain and Jail Administrator Fred Blankenship have both announced they are running to fill the Sheriff’s position.

Current Sheriff John Pollack announced he is retiring at the end of 2024.

Swartz served with the Sheriff’s Department for 29 years, with 18 of those as a Road Patrol Sergeant. She retired from the Department in 2016 and then worked with the Michigan Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer.

Blankenship has been with the Sheriff’s Department for 28 years and served in several different positions. He has been the Jail Administrator for over 20 years.

Swartz and Blankenship join Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Thyng as candidates for Sheriff. Thyng announced on January 1 that he was running for the position.