By HOLLY GASKILL

All contested Republican incumbents have secured their spot on the fall general election ballot — however, they weren’t entirely unscathed.

Pictured above are Republican primary winners present at the party headquarters Tuesday night — Judge Kenton Kiracofe, Commissioner Blake Gerber, Pam Gregory for treasurer, Cliff Thomas for coroner, County Council members Scott Elzey and Vicki Andrews, Rina Stuck for recorder, County Council member Seth Whicker, and Commissioner Jeff Stringer. (Photo by Holly Gaskill)

Just under 5% of votes separated Wells County Council challenger Health Schlagenhauf, who received 2,195 votes, from incumbent Scott Elzey, 2,667. Incumbent Vicki Andrews came out on top with 2,913 votes, and current Council President Seth Whicker followed with 2,748. 

Addressing the crowd gathered at the Republican Party headquarters after the votes were tallied, Elzey, Andrews and Whicker thanked the public for their support and emphasized the “exciting things” going on in the county. 

For County Commissioner District 3, incumbent Jeff Stringer beat challenger Tamra Boucher 2,603 to 1,925.

“Thanks to everybody who supported me, and got out, and really pushed, and encouraged me to just do the best I could,” Stringer began his statements after his victory was announced. “It’s tough when you got a competitor, and I’m not going to say it’s been fun or easy, but it is what it is.”

Incumbent Jeff Stringer discusses the work he hopes to continue as a County Commissioner, having won the Republican nomination Tuesday.

Stringer said he hoped to continue to push the county forward, citing developments at the Wells County Health Department and Economic Development. Commissioner Stringer said the county has also hired a new engineer, filling a nearly six-month vacancy. 

All three Republican incumbents for the Wells County Council secured their nominations for the general election. Vicki Andrews (above), Scott Elzey (below) and Seth Whicker (bottom) expressed their gratitude to the voters at the party’s headquarters on Tuesday. (Photos by Jonathan Snyder)

“And we’re not done yet — the ‘W’ doesn’t come ‘til November,” Stringer concluded. “So let’s just keep on our toes and do what’s right.” 

Rep. Lorissa Sweet, R-District 50, who represents Jackson Township, also secured her party’s nomination against challenger Rob Miller. In Jackson Township, she received 104 votes to Miller’s 63.

Republican Chairman Zach Rodgers also reminded the party that the race is far from over in his concluding statements. “But we’ll be ready as a party unified behind these people that were victorious tonight,” Rodgers stated. 

At least the County Council will have a contested race in the general election — Brian Hollingsworth received 337 votes in the Democratic primary election Tuesday and Scott Burke has filed initial pre-primary finance reports as an independent candidate.

Altogether, voter turnout came in at 27.75%. While low, Rodgers emphasized that the total was higher than many counties and showed a slight increase from four years earlier. Rodgers thanked those who ran both contested and uncontested, saying both candidates took a risk and put themselves out there.

“We recognize that in the political culture going on right now on a national front, there is a lot of anger and frustration, and I think we should acknowledge that this was a tough race for a lot of the candidates up and down the ballot, including locally,” Rodgers said. “I will say this — even when your name is on the ballot uncontested. It is a big deal for you to step up and run.”

Three races for precinct committeemen were also contested — Brandon Harnish won over Tami Runyon 67-53 (Bluffton 5), Michael Lautzenheiser Jr. over Preston Wright 205-72 (Bluffton Lancaster East), and Kathy Peeper over Ashley Peterson 170-63 (Lancaster East).

Other Wells County results were:

• President (R): Nikki Haley (832) and Donald Trump (3,857).

• President (D): Joe Biden (375)

• U.S. Senator (R): Jim Banks (3,842)

• U.S. Senator (D): Marc Carmichael (109) and Valerie McCray (263).

• Governor (R): Mike Braun (1,875), Brad Chambers (494), Suzanne Crouch (654), Eric Doden (1,248), Curtis Hill (280) and Jamie Reitenour (186). 

• Governor (D): Jennifer McCormick (384)

• U.S. Representative, District 3 (D): Kiley M. Adolph (247) and Phil Goss (127)

• State Representative, District 79 (R): Matt Lehman (3,939)

• State Representative, District 50 (D): Joe Swisher (6)

• Circuit Court Judge 28th Circuit (R): Kenton Kiracofe (4,150)

• County Recorder (R): Rina Stuck (4,075)

• County Treasurer (R): Pam Gregory (4,055)

• County Coroner (R): Cliff Thomas (4,098)

• County Surveyor (R): Jarrod Hahn (4,107)

• County Commissioner, District 2 (R): Blake Gerber (3,967)

• Twelve Republican state convention delegates at large: Ethan Bailey (1,768), Heather Barkley (2,090), Joshua Barkley (2,221), Tamra Boucher (2,570), Case Ferree (862), Sandra Garcia (2,175), Brandon Harnish (2,853), Becky Holdman (2,853), Travis Holdman (2,989), Josh Hunt (2,690), Scott Mentzer (2,299), Daphne Mygrant (1,174), Ashley Peterson (1,690), Kerry Roberts (1,690), Laura Roberts (2,041), Zach Rodgers (1,905), Joan Whicker (2,364) and Preston Wright (1,532). 

holly@news-banner.com

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