Two Republican candidates are seeking election Tuesday for the role of Jackson County coroner.
Ronald Cox of Brownstown and Paul Foster of Seymour are both in contention for the position, presently held by Republican Mike Bobb, who is not seeking re-election after serving one four-year term. The coroner’s office is limited to two four-year terms by the state constitution.
There is not a Democrat on the ballot for coroner in the primary, but the party has until June 30 to fill a ballot vacancy.
Cox said he originally ran as a way to bring experience to the office.
“I have worked with two separate coroners in Jackson County, and I originally wanted to pursue this office in 2016,” he said. “I found out late that I was not eligible to run due to the election rules at that time. I decided that day to run in 2020.”
He said he feels the office needs experience.
“Experience only comes through being involved on the scene and the arduous work after the initial call,” Cox said. “I feel I have the commitment and experience to fulfill the tasks at hand in giving every grieving family the consistent investigation that they deserve to help fill in the blanks of what appears to be at face value the unexplained or unwitnessed death of a loved one.”
Foster said he initially chose to run to fuel his desire to serve the community.
“Coming out of college, I felt the call to serve in some capacity,” he said. “Growing up watching my father spend his whole career moving around the country with the U.S. Air Force, I witnessed him lead by example in humble service.”
After joining the Seymour Fire Department 25 years ago, he said he found fulfillment in serving his neighbor.
“I have been retired for four years now and still feel that same call,” Foster said. “I would like to use the office of coroner to utilize the skills I have gained through my 21 years with the fire department and as a business owner to give back to the community.”
In 2019, the coroner’s salary was $10,983.
