By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Primary election contests come into focus with Friday’s passing of the filing deadline in Kosciusko County.
Voters will have a variety of choices for the May 3 vote.
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To see the full list of filings in Kosciusko County, click here.
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In Winona Lake, two people who were critical of the town’s handling of a state audit over town record keeping are running for a seat currently held by former council president Jim Lancaster, who did not file for re-election.
Jerry Nelson, who routinely asks questions at town council meetings, and Jim LeMasters, an employee of Warsaw Community Schools, are running for the Ward 3 seat.
Both called for more accountability after the audit shed light on sloppy bookkeeping and a loose approach toward employees’ use of town credit cards. Two employees returned money that was deemed not legitimate uses for the town.
The town has since changed its policies in response.
Republicans once again dominate the county election landscape and have numerous incumbents refiling and unopposed in the primary.
County officeholders who filed include Sheriff Jim Smith, County Auditor Allysa Jo Schmucker, County Assessor Bobbi J. Burkhart and County Recorder Deborah A. Wright.
Incumbent judicial candidates include Superior Court 1 Judge Karin A. McGrath, Superior Court 2 Judge Torrey J. Bauer, Superior Court 3 Judge Chad M. Miner, Superior Court 4 Judge Christopher Douglas Kehler,
County council incumbents who refiled include Joe Irwin, District 2; Tony Ciriello, District 3; and David Wolkins, District 4.
Democrat Tina Holloway will challenge Ciriello for the District 3 seat in the general election.
Meanwhile, there will be one contested race for both the Kosciusko County council and commissioner.s
Incumbent District 1 councilwoman Kimberly Cates will face Thaddeus Du Bois in the primary.
In the commissioner race, incumbent Bob Conley will face Donald Wiesehan, Jr. for the southern seat.
In Syracuse, four Republicans filed after Larry Siegel, an incumbent, withdrew after he initially filed for reelection. Those Republican funning for the at-Large seat are: David Rosenberry, Brandon Wolferman, Gregory Scott Abbs and Matthew Goodnight.
Democrat Yesenia (Jessie) Vetor will face the Republican primary winner for the at-large seat in the fall election.
