By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Former Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson — eager to get back into political governance — has found a quicker way to join county council.
Jackson, who served 28 years as a commissioner before deciding to retire in 2024, had announced in September his plans to run for county council’s 1st District seat next year, which would mean he’d be seated more than a year from now (if elected).
But then he received a call Thursday night from a county council member who alerted him that they had just learned another council member, Delynn Geiger, had unexpectedly announced his resignation, effective one day later.
Jackson, 63, thought about the unexpected development, talked with a few people, including the county Republican Party Chairman Mike Ragan, and within hours, announced plans to seek Geiger’s at-large seat through a Republican caucus that has not even yet been announced.
Ragan announced Friday night that the caucus will be held Jan. 6.
The move, if successful, would mean Jacksson could be seated in early January — a year sooner than previously planned.
He said the change “makes perfect sense” and points out the council could face some tough budget decisions that could loom next year as changes in state law likely affect the amount of property tax revenue that can be collected.
“There’s a lot of changes with Senate Bill 1 and things like that, and I’d just like to be part of that,” Jackson said Friday afternoon.
Jackson was asked if quickly announcing might deter others from considering a run in the caucus process, which will be decided by precinct committee members from across the county.
“I don’t know if it would or not, but I think it’s good to get your name out as quickly as you decide,” Jackson said. “To me, it seems like a pretty easy decision. I already decided to run, so do I want to run and be in a year sooner or not?”
Geiger was elected a year ago and said in a letter to Ragan that the decision was based on his family’s increasing activities outside of the county.
Three years remain in Geiger’s term, which could be an enticing reason for others to consider running.
Jackson said he was unsure if the immediate opening on the council would attract much interest.
“I hope not, but I don’t know,” he said.
The caucus process would also be less expensive than running a campaign and would be decided by Republican party faithful, many of whom he has built relationships with over more than two decades.
Jackson’s original election bid involved a potential match-up against Kimberly Cates, a fellow Republican who has not announced whether she plans to seek re-election.
Jackson said he reached out to Cates after Thursday’s decision and that they had a “pleasant conversation.”
