By Jared Reedy | For The Tribune
BROWNSTOWN — Those with a desire to serve the people of their community lined up shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday at the voter registration office in the Jackson County Judicial Center to file their declaration of candidacy for the May 7 primary election.
Bret Cunningham of Seymour, a Republican who is seeking to become the District 2 county commissioner, was one of the first in line. That seat has been held by Republican Bob Gillaspy of Seymour, who has decided not to seek a third term.
“I can be compassionate, and I can be bold and courageous,” said Cunningham, who is a former at-large Seymour Common Councilman. “It’s easy to say things behind closed doors, but when it has to be discussed in front of the public, I believe I have shown I can do that well. I’m a person that likes to work, and the chance to be able to impact the county as a whole is exciting to me.”
Later in the day, Seymour Republican Michael Bobb, a former county coroner, filed a declaration of candidacy for the District 2 commissioners seat.
A second Seymour Republican, Drew Storey, filed a declaration of candidacy for the seat, setting up a three-way race with Cunningham and Bobb. Storey is presently a Seymour at-large councilman.
“I would say that my experience in local government and state government alike have allowed me to be prepared to be a county commissioner,” Storey later told The Tribune. “I’m a senior adviser for a firm where we engage with counties. I’m engrossed in this world of county government, local government and finding money to get stuff done.
“I’ve been a city councilman for four years. I would say my inspiration to serve the community actually started as a state employee. After I left state government, I realized I wanted to continue to be a public servant. So after serving for six years as an elder at church, I realized this is what I want. Serving is what I want.”
Brownstown Republican Drew Markel, who is seeking a third four-year term as the District 1 commissioner, also was one of the first candidates in line.
“I’m a very conservative candidate,” he said. “I’m very reachable. I put my phone number and email on everything. I’ve always been interested in local politics. I just want to serve the community and put my time in.”
This year’s election features eight other countywide offices, including the three at-large county council seats.
Republicans Brett Turner of Crothersville, Amanda Cunningham Lowery of Vallonia and John Nolting of Brownstown currently hold those seats. Cunningham Lowery, a former county clerk and recorder, filed her declaration of candidacy Wednesday and will be joined on the ballot by Brownstown Republican Roger D. Hurt. Hurt is a former county treasurer and auditor.
The remaining county offices on the ballot are treasurer, auditor, coroner, surveyor and Jackson Circuit Court judge. These positions are presently held by Republicans Kathy Hohenstreiter, Staci Eglen, Paul Foster, Dan Blann and Judge Richard W. Poynter, respectively.
Hohenstreiter also filed her declaration of candidacy Wednesday along with Poynter.
Republican Dave Hall of Norman, seeking reelection for a second two-year term to the District 62 House seat, also was among the first of the political aspirants to begin the registration process, which was managed by county Clerk Piper Shoemaker.
District 62 includes Owen, Pershing and Salt Creek townships in northwestern Jackson County, all of Brown County and part of southern Monroe County.
Hall was a northwestern Owen Township advisory board member for six years and then served as a county council member for another six years before becoming a state representative in 2023.
“I kept taking opportunities to serve at a higher level,” Hall said. “I connect well with people. I try to be a servant and a leader.”
Hall’s stop at the judicial center was partially ceremonial since anyone running for a seat in the Indiana House or Senate must file their declaration at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. He did that later in the day.
Bedford Republican Eric Koch’s District 44 state Senate seat is up for election along with the District 65 seat held by Bedford Republican Chris May and the District 69 seat held by Seymour Republican Jim Lucas.
Besides Hall, May filed his declaration of candidacy Wednesday at the Statehouse. District 65 includes Carr Township in Jackson County.
Up for election at the federal level is the Indiana Ninth District Congressional seat, which is currently held by Salem Republican Erin Houchin. Jasper Republican Mike Braun’s Senate seat also is up for election.
Additionally, the primary ballot this year includes Republican and Democrat nominees for president and governor. Braun intends to run for the governorship.
Republican convention filings Wednesday for Jackson County include Melissa Zabel Acton, Conner Barnette, Lucas, Hall, Lowery, Markel and Dustin Steward.
Those filing for Republican precinct committeemen and committeewomen were Markel, Brownstown 4; Cunningham Lowery, Driftwood Township; Lucas, Jackson 1 East; Zabel Acton, Jackson 7; Hall, Owen Township; and Steward, Washington Township.
The deadline to file a declaration of candidacy is noon Feb. 9.