Races Heating Up As Candidate Filing Enters Final Week

Candidate filing for the May primary heads into its final week. The race for Starke County Council is starting to heat up, with four Republicans filed for the three available at-large seats. They include Don Binkley, Sam Byer, Todd Lienbach, and incumbent Kay Gudeman. Voters will have to narrow that list down to three during the primary. As it currently stands, the winners would face Democrats Chuck Estok and Karl Swihart in November.

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Starke County Treasurer’s Race Up to Three Candidates, As Primary Filing Continues

The ballot for the May primary is starting to take shape. In Starke County, the most hotly-contested office so far appears to be county treasurer. Incumbent Kay Chaffins is running for her first full term, but she faces a Democratic primary challenge from Monica Miller. As it currently stands, the winner would face Republican Tom DeCola in November’s General Election.

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Several Elected Officials Unopposed Heading into Final Week of Candidate Filing

With less than a week left for candidates to file to run in the May primary, many incumbents remain unopposed. As of Friday afternoon, the only local contested race was for Knox clerk-treasurer. Colleen Hodge and Cyndi Mann-Kidder are vying for the Democratic Party nomination, according to the Starke County Clerk’s Office. Incumbent Jeff Houston is not seeking another term.

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First Day of Filing Ends with Three Candidates for Knox Offices

Three Democrats filed to run for office in the City of Knox on the first day of filing Wednesday. Mayor Dennis Estok and District 3 City Council Member Jeff V. Berg both filed for reelection, according to the Starke County Clerk’s Office, while Colleen A. Hodge filed to run for clerk-treasurer. Incumbent Jeff Houston is not seeking another term.

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