Starke County Democratic Chairman Lonnie Boley called two party caucus events in an effort to fill vacant seats for two county positions Monday night.
It was announced, eleven precinct committeemen were needed to be present to make a quorum and fifteen were present. Democratic Chairman Lonnie Boley stated, a CEB-5 form was required for declaration of candidacy for the Starke County Auditor position. He went on to say they had only received one individual interested in filling the remainder of the term, that being Michaelene J. Houston.
Boley entertained a motion to vote by acclamation due to only having one individual interested. Precinct Committeemen Jeff Berg made that motion with Dorine Godinez seconding. The motion was passed unanimously by vote. Michaelene J. Houston was sworn in as the Starke County Auditor. She will finish out the remainder of the term which ends December 31, 2026.
It was then announced two individuals were interested in filling the available seat on the Railroad Township Advisory Board. Boley announced, IC code 3-13-11-5 states if fewer than two persons are eligible to be members of a caucus under this section, it is not required to conduct a caucus and that the decision can be made solely by the county chairman. He stated Clayton Redlin and David Switt both submitted their interest in filling the position. Boley announced he is choosing Clayton Redlin to fill the seat. He added, Redlin is already a precinct committeemen from Railroad Township.
Redlin was sworn in to fill the vacant seat on the Railroad Township Advisory Board.
