BROWNSTOWN
A line formed inside the voter registration office at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Jackson County Judicial Center, as eight people showed desire to fill county positions within the first hour of filing for the May 5 primary election.
By noon, the number of declarations had risen to nine.
County Clerk Melissa Hayes, with the help of Rachel Nierman and Andrea Edwards, managed the registration process as political hopefuls made their intent to seek office official.
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"It’s exciting to see the people come in and want to get involved and signed up for the election," Hayes said. "We figured we’d have quite a few show up with the number of open positions."
The list of offices up for election this year include county commissioner District 1 and District 2 seats and three at-large county council seats.
Like he did four years ago, Republican Bob Gillaspy of Seymour was the first one to file at the top of the hour. He is seeking re-election to the commissioner District 2 seat.
"I’ve really enjoyed the job," he said. "You get to help people, listening to their problems and trying to find solutions. A lot of building/construction has been going on that I’ve been involved in. I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing. We’ve got a few roads out there that need to be taken care of. I want to see the county continue to grow."
Brownstown Republican Drew Markel, seeking to win a second four-year term as the District 1 commissioner, also was one of the first in the building.
"I think it’s good to show the public that you are interested and you’re not just waiting around seeing who wants to run and participate," Markel said. "I think it’s very important to file on the first day to show your constituents you’re serious about the position."
The three at-large county council seats are presently held by Republicans Dave Hall, Ann Cain and John Nolting. Nolting and Hall both filed before 9 a.m.
Hall said he’s proud of several accomplishments that have happened over his tenure, including helping keep taxes low, avoiding jail expansion, increasing pay for sheriff deputies, giving 3% raises for all county employees annually and partnering with Jennings County to construct the work release center.
"I am proud to work with a great group of elected officials focused on doing what’s best for our county," Hall said.
Other county offices up for election this year are treasurer, auditor, coroner and surveyor.
Roger Hurt, a Republican who is finishing his first four-year term, is running for auditor. Whoever wins that race will replace Republican Kathy Hohenstreiter, who is wrapping up her second four-year term, which is the maximum allowed for the office by the state constitution.
Hohenstreiter filed for the county treasurer position Wednesday.
"I was a treasurer before I was an auditor, and I honestly loved it," she said. "The treasurer works a lot with the public, where the auditor works more with different departments. I am looking forward to it. It’s nice to be able to help someone through a problem when they come in."
One of the people running for the coroner position, Paul Foster, is a political newcomer. The current coroner is Republican Mike Bobb.
"I retired from the fire department in Seymour four years ago after 21 years," said Foster, who also is a Republican. "I have always enjoyed serving. I retired to run my excavating business full time about four years ago, but I just want to get back involved in serving the community."
Foster said he looks forward to campaigning.
"It’s something new, something I’ve never done," he said. "I’m going to learn the process and meet and talk to people. Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to serve in the community again."
Republican Ronald Cox of Brownstown also has filed for the coroner’s job.
State-level officials also began filing Wednesday in Indianapolis.
Ninth District Congressman Trey Hollingsworth of Jeffersonville is seeking re-election to his third two-year term this cycle. In the past, Hollingsworth has promised to serve no more than eight years (four terms) as a representative.
The District 44 state senate seat presently held by Bedford Republican Eric Koch also is up for election along with the three House districts that serve Jackson County.
Those are District 65, presently held by Bedford Republican Chris May; District 69, presently held by Seymour Republican Jim Lucas; and District 73, presently held by Salem Republican Steve Davisson.
Lucas, who filed his declaration of candidacy in Indianapolis on Wednesday, said he loves serving the people.
"It’s as enjoyable as much as it is an honor and a privilege," he said. "It’s something I want to continue to do because I feel that I’m effective up here in Indianapolis representing my district and making good things happen for people in the state of Indiana."
The lawmaker said he’s proud of the legislation that has passed in regards to a person’s right to self-defense, and he’s planning on continuing to be a leading voice in the state for gun rights and medical cannabis. As a member of the education committee, he said progress is being made in that field.
Jackson Superior Court I Judge AmyMarie Travis of Brownstown had to make the trip to Indianapolis to declare her candidacy because judges work for and are paid by the state.
She was appointed to the bench in 2018 by Gov. Eric Holcomb to complete then Jackson Superior Court 1 Judge Bruce Markel’s term upon his retirement. Judges serve six year terms.
Travis said she has been able to use all of her experience as an attorney since being admitted to the practice of law since 1993 along with her life experience and her experience as judge thus far to serve the people of Jackson County.
"It is always challenging and interesting," she said. "I like people and I enjoy the opportunity to help resolve these important legal issues.
The deadline to file for the county positions for the primary election is noon Feb. 7.
Those interested in running for a countywide office need to have a voting record that shows affiliation with a major political party. If they don’t have a voting history established, they need certification from the chairperson of the party for which they choose to run.
Some people choose to fill out all of the paperwork in Hayes’ office, while others download it from the state website and have most of it filled out before going to the clerk’s office.