Roten Expected To Announce 2020 Sheriff Candidacy
Former Midland Deputy Police Chief Rodney Roten is expected to announce his candidacy for Sheriff in the August 2020 Republican primary shortly. Mr. Roten confirmed the news to the City Paper, but said that an exact announcement date has not yet been set.
Mr. Roten retired this past December from the Midland Police Department.
“I climbed the ladder at [the Midland Police Department] from Patrolman, to Sergeant, to Lieutenant, to Deputy Chief,” he told the City Paper.
When he throws his hat into the ring, he will join Midland County Sheriff deputy Myron Greene and Midland County Law Enforcement Center administrative professional Laura Lee as announced candidates.
The trio is looking to replace embattled Midland County Sheriff Scott Stephenson, who has indicated he will not run for reelection.
Mr. Stephenson was arrested last November for suspected drunken driving after leaving a deer hunting camp in Kalkaska County. He later pled guilty to one count of operating a motor vehicle while visibly impaired and was sentenced to one year of probation and fined $1,030.
In 2012, Mr. Greene finished third in a crowded, five-person primary behind Mr. Stephenson and Ken Mault, respectively; with 2,027 votes, or 17.1 percent.
Michael Westendorf is the chairman and executive editor of Chemical City Paper. As Executive Editor, he leads the City Paper’s news coverage and editorial team.