The Starke County Clerk’s Office has shared a summary of the candidate filing so far in the county.
Filing opened Wednesday, January 7th. This list is current as of Friday, January 9th and new filings will be reported as they are made available.
There are several open seats available this year across the county and many incumbent candidates running to maintain their seats, including County Assessor Michelle Schouten, County Auditor Michaelene Houston, and County Recorder Jennifer Madsen.
Incumbent Starke County Commissioner Don Binkley has filed for a seat on the commission, and Republican Todd Leinbach is newly filing for a seat.
Starke County Council incumbent Bruce Bennett has filed to return to the Council, and Republicans Howard Bailey Jr. and Tom Busch have also filed candidacy for seats on the council.
Incumbent County Sheriff Jack Rosa will contend against Republican Dennis Fornelli for the County Sheriff position.
Running for Democrat Precinct Committeeman include Linda Banks, Shirley Fields, Jeffery Houston, and Teresa Sitek.
Township board member candidates include Republicans Richard Anderson, Joanne Gillette Bailey, Bethany Laizure, Richard Rick Minker, Mike Yankauskas; and Democrats Teresa G. Sitek and Marilyn Lockridge.
Running for Township Trustee include republicans Mark Allen, Tiffany Nagai, Lynn Vesely, and Democrat Suzie Donna Woods.
On a state level, both current State representatives Kendell Culp and Jim Pressel have filed their candidacy.
The filing period will end on Friday, February 6th.
