Cole announces he will seek 4th term as sheriff

Sheriff Kim Cole

Cole announces he will seek 4th term as sheriff

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

LUDINGTON — Kim Cole announced Thursday that he will seek a fourth term as Mason County sheriff. Cole is already among only one of four men who have served more than three terms as sheriff of Mason County since it was formed in 1855 and, if re-elected will join that same group to have served a fourth term. He will also be the second longest serving law enforcement officer in Mason County.

Cole, a Republican, was first elected in 2012 after serving as a road patrol deputy with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office for 17 years. He was hired as a road patrol deputy by the Sheriff Robert Englebrecht in 1985.

“I honestly had considered retiring at the end of this term,” Cole said. “But, I don’t believe my work is done. I have a great team and I work for the greatest people in the world, the citizens of Mason County.”

Cole said this most recent term has been the most challenging time in his career.

“We went through the COVID pandemic, unprecedented government lockdowns, battles with state government, and a national movement to defund the police. During that entire time I did what I believed was right, and that was to protect the rights of our citizens.

“But, we also have had some great things happen over the last four years. Most recently, we have implemented a school resource officer program placing deputies and police officers in every primary and secondary school in Mason County. We also have added security to the Mason County Courthouse. The law enforcement officers in this county are dedicated to assure the safety of every single person in here no matter what it takes. I couldn’t be more proud.”

Also during the last four years, Cole served a term as the president of the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association and has now been appointed to serve on the board of directors of the National Sheriffs’ Association, representing Michigan’s 83 sheriffs.

“I think it’s vital that your county sheriff be a voice in Lansing and Washington,” Cole said. “These organizations protect our law enforcement officers and ultimately protect our rights.”

Cole, 59, is a 1982 graduate of Ludington High School and a 1984 graduate of West Shore Community College where he earned an associate degree in criminal justice. He and his wife Gina have two adult children and one grandchild with one soon to join his family.

Ed Anderson was the longest serving sheriff in Mason County. He served 21 years, from 1943-1964. George Colyer served 18 years, from 1919-1922 and from 1927-1942. Walt Carrier served for 15 years, from 1977-1984. Cole also has the distinction of being the only second generation sheriff. His great-great-grandfather, Henry C. Cole, served as sheriff from 1899-1902.

The sheriff is a partisan position who serves a four year term. Cole will be on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot and, if victorious, will be on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot.

“This job has been the best job of my life,” Cole said. “The best part of this job is that every four years the citizens of this county have checked my name on the ballot and elected me to serve as their sheriff. That makes every single part of this job worth it. To know that the citizens trust me to be their sheriff.”

The candidate filing deadline for the August primary election is April 23 at 4 p.m.

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