WARSAW — Kosciusko County Republican Chair Mike Ragan has overseen the annual GOP Hall of Fame dinner for the past nine years, but on Monday, he was unable to attend. 

Party Secretary Austin Rovenstine provided an update almost as soon as the huge crowd at the Owl's Nest in North Webster was seated for dinner.

Ragan, he explained, was diagnosed with leukemia a week ago, a declaration that drew a hushed sense of alarm from many of the guests, almost all of whom know Ragan personally.

"Now don't worry, he's not going anywhere. He's in good spirits and he's still able to execute his duties as chairman," Rovenstine said.

Ragan talked with News Now Warsaw on Thursday afternoon and sounded optimistic, but said he's also dealing with a case of Shingles, which can cause excessive itching and burning for weeks.

He said he decided not to attend Monday's political dinner because both illnesses can compromise a person's ability to ward off other types of sickness.

He said many people have reached out to offer support since Monday's party.

"I'm still getting calls and texts, so I really appreciate it," he said.

He said recent tests showed a "low blood count," which led to a bone marrow biopsy and the diagnosis.

"I really don't feel sick, other than the shingles," he said. "Hopefully, once I get past the shingles, I'll be more in the swing of things."

He spoke about having a good outlook.

"I feel really positive about things, and we're going to do everything we can to get past this," Ragan said. "

"I know I'm in God's hands, and wherever he takes me, of course, I'm all in," he said.

Ragan has served for more than a decade as chairman and said that he has no intentions of stepping down.

He said more tests will be taken before doctors determine how to proceed.

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NORTH WEBSTER — Kosciusko County Republicans — just a week from Election Day — had their annual Hall of Fame dinner in North Webster Tuesday night.

[caption id="attachment_100930" align="alignright" width="250"] Indiana Republican Party Chairman Randy Head was the keynote speaker. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The overall arching theme from Congressman Rudy Yakym and others was simple. They urged Republicans not to be complacent about the lack of races in Kosciusko County because they need to ensure a big early victory on election night for Donald Trump.

The keynote speech by Indiana Republican Party Chairman Randy Head looked at the legacy of Abe Lincoln and his desire to convert enemies into friends following the Civil War.

Head admitted that that sense of smoothing over rough spots runs counter to Trump's campaign history marked by personal insults.

"It works for The Donald. It absolutely does and he's not going to change. But other people who try to imitate that ... it doesn't work for them — especially in a small community," Head said.

"We can attack their ideas and we can win with our ideas because our ideas are better," he said.

Also in attendance was Lt. Gov. candidate Micah Beckwith who has quickly become an outspoken firebrand on the ticket with gubernatorial candidate Mike Braun.

Beckwith was asked about his emerging role.

"Yeah, I think it fires up the base. I don't really see myself as an outspoken firebrand. I just see myself calling out the nonsense the left is trying to push into our culture. They think boys can be girls and girls can be boys and I just think that's nonsensical," Beckwith said.

He said he's most excited about Braun's plan to revamp property taxes and downplayed any negative impact it might have on local government.

"No we're not going to let that happen. It's going to be good for everybody. We're going to find solutions. We can everybody to the table — local officials and state officials," he said.

The GOP also honored several people Congressman Yakym presented an award to Brad Jackson who is retiring after 28 years as a county commissioner. Michelle Puckett was chosen as the Woman of the Year and Dan Thystrup, a North Webster town council member was chosen as the Man of the Year.

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