By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — A new block of like-minded Kosciusko County Council candidates emerged at Tuesday’s GOP Fish Fry, with Tony Ciriello, Brad Jackson, and Joe Irwin all wearing similarly themed purple campaign shirts.
The early coordinated move probably says as much about unity as it does to serve as an attempt to fend off competition.
A fourth person in the candidate block, Dave Wolkins, did not attend the fish fry, but all four are expected to be at a campaign kick-off rally on Monday at the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion.
“I think we’re a block of candidates who support each other. That’s why we chose to go with the same color,” Ciriello said.
Wolkins and Ciriello have both worn purple shirts during previous campaigns.
Wolkins is a former state lawmaker who lived for decades in Winona Lake.
Ciriello is a former sheriff’s deputy, a town marshal in Syracuse, and a longtime coroner.
Jackson, a former county commissioner, threw his hat into the campaign two weeks ago and is seeking the district seat currently held by Kimberly Cates, also a Republican.
“Joe, Brad, Dave and myself are all very conservative, and if you looked at what we’re doing with our budget for the county, there’s been a lot of cuts made,” Ciriello said.
He added, “We were still able to give the employees a two percent raise because of the cuts we made and kept us fiscally responsible without pushing the max levy.”
Monday’s reception is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Ciriello invited everyone with an interest to attend.
The county council contests will be one of many county races in 2026.
Other contests include one for a county commissioner, four superior court judges, as well as ones for the sheriff, prosecutor, assessor, and recorder.
Legislative seats held by State Rep. Craig Snow and David Abbott will also be on the ballot.
