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Kim Cole, left, along with Sgt. Jody Hartley, who will become undersheriff. Photo was taken after the primary win in August.
LUDINGTON – On Jan. 1, 2013 Kim Cole will be sworn in as the new Mason County Sheriff, following in the footsteps of his great-great grandfather Henry Cole, who served as Mason County Sheriff for a term in the late 19th Century.
Kim Cole, a 17-year sergeant in the sheriff’s office, defeated Sheriff Jeff Fiers Tuesday night with 68 percent of the vote. This is the second time Cole has defeated Fiers this election season. Fiers ran against Cole in the Republican primary in August, when the margin was much closer.
Fiers, a Custer Township resident, decided to run a write-in campaign against Cole, a Pere Marquette Township resident.
“We are looking forward to the start of the year,” Cole said from his home. “I will plan on meeting with County Administrator Fabian Knizacky in the very near future and getting acquainted with the county board of commissioners.”
Cole said he understands Fiers is still sheriff until Dec. 31.
“Jeff is still the sheriff and until the end of the year I and the men and women of the sheriff’s department will respect that.”
Cole’s undersheriff will be Jody Hartley, who currently is also a sergeant on the sheriff’s department.
The Mason County Board of Canvassers is scheduled to start meeting today at 1 p.m. The board will verify the ballots, including Fiers’ write-in votes.
The county clerk’s office will have a tally of the unofficial votes from all elections, on its website later today at www.masoncounty.net. Official results are expected once the canvassers are finished later this week.
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