The number of contested races is starting to add up, heading into the May primary. Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin has filed to run for reelection this year. At this point, the incumbent Democrat faces a challenge from Republican Thomas Decola.
The race for Railroad Township Trustee has gotten a good amount of interest, with incumbent Republican Mandy Thomason facing a primary challenge from John Harris. Former trustee and current township board member Roger Chaffins is also seeking the seat as a Democrat.
District 1 County Council Member Brad Hazelton is seeking reelection, while Karen Tibbs is running for the council’s District 4 seat. Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer Jr. is also running for reelection. The races for Starke County Clerk, Auditor, District 2 Commissioner, and District 2 Council Member have all been contested since the first day of filing.
Pulaski County has a couple contested races so far. District 3 County Commissioner Mike McClure faces a primary challenge from Tyler Campbell, while Pulaski County Coroner John Behny will face Alan S. Mitchell in the May primary. Republican Tim Murray is running for Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge. Meanwhile, Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine, Clerk Christi Hoffa, and Surveyor Jenny Keller have all filed to run for reelection, along with Winamac Town Council member Alvin Parish.
The deadline for candidates to file for the May primary is February 9.
Candidate Filings As of January 19:
Starke County
Assessor: Michelle Snowdon (D)
Auditor: Kasey Bula Clark (D), Rachel Milner Oesterreich (D)
Clerk: Katherine (Kay) Dolezal Chaffins (D), Vicki Cooley (D)
Coroner: Dannie Ray Hoffer Jr. (D)
Recorder: Rebekah Sponaugle Wagner (D)
Sheriff: Thomas Decola (R), Bill Dulin (D)
Commissioner District 2: Don Binkley (D), Bryan Harold Cavender (R)
County Council District 1: Bradley J. Hazelton (D)
County Council District 2: Howard A. Bailey Jr. (R), Dale Conley (D)
County Council District 4: Karen Tibbs (D)
Center Township Trustee: Julie Manns (D)
North Bend Township Trustee: Rutherford Byron Walters (R)
Oregon Township Trustee: Mark Allen (D)
Railroad Township Trustee: Roger Chaffins Sr. (D), John Harris (R), Mandy Thomason (R)
Railroad Township Board Member: Bart D. Egolf (R)
Washington Township Trustee: Cathy Ewing Benko (D)
Washington Township Board Member: Kimberly Temple (R)
Center 1 Democrat Precinct Committeeman and State Convention Delegate: Jeffery J. Houston
Center 1 Democrat Precinct Committeeman: Rick Chambers
Center 3 Democrat Precinct Committeeman and State Convention Delegate: Jeff V. Berg
Pulaski County
Assessor: Lorena H. (Holly) VanDerAa (R)
Clerk: Christina L. Hoffa (R)
Coroner: John Behny (R), Alan S. Mitchell (R)
Sheriff: Jeffery K. Richwine (R)
Commissioner District 3: Tyler Campbell (R), John Michael “Mike” McClure (R)
Surveyor: Jenny Weaver-Keller (D)
Francesville Town Clerk: Cathy Lynn Elston (R)
Winamac Town Council: Alvin R. Parish (R)
Harrison Township Trustee: Betty Stinemetz (R)
Jefferson Township Trustee: Betty L. Kruger (R)
Jefferson Township Board: Roscoe “Bud” Cummins (R)
Monroe Township Trustee: Michelle Schmicker (R)
Monroe Township Board: Timothy F. Hoffa Jr. (R)
Rich Grove Township Trustee: Deloris Locke (R)
Salem Township Trustee: Kay Beasey (R)
Tippecanoe Township Board: William E. Bauer (Bill) (D), Kelli Denton (D)
VanBuren Township Trustee: Lenora K. Hoover (R)
White Post Township Board: Patricia L. Tiede (R)
Circuit Court Judge: Tim Murray (R)
