Starke County favored Republicans in many key races in Tuesday’s election. The race to replace Kent Danford as the District 3 County Commissioner ended with Charles Chesak gaining 59 percent of the vote, compared to 37 percent for Democrat Karen Tibbs. Meanwhile, Kathy Norem keeps her District 1 seat, after defeating Buddy Ringle by a margin of 65-to-35 percent. The Starke County Council saw Republican Bryan Cavender and Democrats Freddie Baker and Bob Sims reelected to their at-large seats.
Meanwhile, several current Knox School Board members were reelected. Kirk Bennett, Jerry Fletcher, and Wendy McIntire keep their three Center Township seats, while Kurt Kemble remains the board’s California-Washington Township representative. At the same time, Annette Ferch and Kurt Hays beat Kyle Hinds for the two available Oregon-Davis School Board at-large seats.
Democrat Bill Crase ran unopposed for county surveyor, and Democrat Kasey (Bula) Clark ran unopposed for county treasurer. Starke County voters also chose Republican candidates for national and state-level races.
Fifty-two percent of Starke County’s registered voters took part in the 2016 General Election. Just over a quarter of those voted absentee.
Click here for complete election returns.
