NILES TOWNSHIP -- Voters head to the polls for Michigan's primary next week, and people are talking about some of the candidates in Niles Township.

Four people running for office are related. Two of the trustee candidates are cousins, and a candidate for supervisor is the father of a candidate for treasurer.

Colorful signs line the streets in Niles Township. But Niles Township Trustee James Ringler says people should take a closer look at them.

"Well, in this race there's at least four people that are related," Ringler told WSBT News.

Ringler is seeking re-election for treasurer. He says if these people are elected, it could create problems.

"When you're making votes that affect the township and you have family members, that's an issue," he said.

But candidate Jim Kidwell disagrees. He's running for supervisor and his daughter is challenging Ringler for treasurer.

"You're dealing with a seven-person board and we only have one vote each on that board. So it's going to have to be a unanimous thing in order to make any decisions," said Kidwell.

Ringler believes some of the people running have an agenda, specifically the way the township is policed. The board decided to get rid of the police department four years ago. They now have a contract with the Berrien County Sheriff's Department.

"Obviously they just didn't agree with it and they want to change it," said Ringler.

Kidwell admits disbanding the police department is the reason he got involved. He’s worked for the Niles Police Department for 20 years. He also worked for the township. Kidwell says he hopes to bring change to the board, not change the police department.

"There had to be a different way that things were done, the way people treated people down at the township, and we just wanted something better for Niles Township," said Kidwell.

"I'm always going to look out for what's best for Niles Township residents and citizens and act accordingly and vote accordingly," said Ringler.

WSBT also spoke with Jim Kidwell's daughter Tammy Youngs. She says she would bring a different perspective to the board, one that's unlike her father's.