SAGINAW COUNTY, MI (WNEM) -
Saginaw County will have a new prosecutor come this November when the general election takes place.
On Tuesday, John A. McColgan Jr. defeated incumbent Michael D. Thomas by more than 1,000 votes.
McColgan ended with 53.66 percent of the votes while Thomas received 46 percent.
Thomas had held the position since 1989. On Wednesday, he issued the following statement:
"It has been my distinct honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Saginaw County for the last 23 years as your elected Saginaw County Prosecuting Attorney…I will continue to faithfully discharge the duties of the Office of Saginaw County Prosecuting Attorney until voters have elected my successor…Thanks to all those in law enforcement who share our commitment and responsibility to seek justice in Saginaw."
McColgan, 52, will face Republican Matthew Frey, who ran unopposed in the primary.
The surprising upset of Michael Thomas yesterday in the Saginaw County Prosecutor's race brought reaction today from the Saginaw County Sheriff.
"I'm happy for John, I want to wish him all the best. I look forward to working with him" Sheriff Bill Federspiel said, referring to the new incoming prosecutor John McColgan. Federspiel went on to say "I've worked with Mike Thomas for the last four years. And I wish Mike the very best in whatever he decides to do."
Federspiel says McColgan's upset of Thomas reminds him of his victory over longtime Saginaw County Sheriff Charles Brown. "I went through a very contentious race four years ago myself, there were some people wondering if I was the right candidate and I think that's where John McColgan is today" said Federspiel.
Thomas had been the county prosecutor since 1989. McColgan has served as the prosecutor for the city of Saginaw for a couple of decades. Thomas released a statement today saying that he will continue to faithfully discharge the duties of the office of the Saginaw County Prosecuting Attorney until his successor takes over.
Federspiel says the relationship between his office and the county prosecutor is critical in fighting crime in the county, saying "one of the first things I plan on doing is sitting down with John and our detective bureau and saying John, do you have any other ideas, is there something different you'd like to see from our men and women who work at the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office."
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