By HOLLY GASKILL

All three Republican incumbents have secured re-election to the Wells County Council.

Incumbents Vicki Andrews, Scott Elzey and Seth Whicker each received more than double the votes of their challengers, Democrat Brian Hollingsworth and Independent Scott Burke. The three celebrated their victories at the Wells County Republican Party Headquarters Tuesday night, thanking their constituents.

Republican incumbents Seth Whicker (above), Vicki Andrews (middle) and Scott Elzey (bottom) spoke about their re-election to the County Council at the Wells County Republican Headquarters Tuesday evening. (Photo by Jonathan Snyder)

“We’ve had so much support, financially and prayerfully,” Andrews said. “Because I think God has shown us where we should be, and here’s where we need to be. I thank you all for your support.” 

Whicker also celebrated recent accomplishments in Wells County, and a vision forward among the council, commissioners, and others. “It’s an exciting time to get involved in county politics, when you actually have a county where everybody’s getting along, everybody’s moving in the same direction, everybody’s a lot of fun to work with,” he said.

Unofficial results show Andrews with the most votes, 8,197 (28.88%), Elzey follows with 7,635 (26.9%) and Whicker in third with 7,064 (24.89%). Burke had 3,065 votes (10.8%) and Hollingsworth 2,419 (8.52%).

Voter Turnout

Of 19,603 registered voters in Wells County, 14,302 voted in the 2024 General Election, marking a 72.96% turnout. This is a slight decrease from the last presidential race when 74.8% of Wells County voters participated, but a slight increase from 2016’s 69.98% turnout.

Above are Republican winners celebrating at the Wells County party headquarters. Pictured from left to right is Pam Gregory (treasurer), Circuit Court Judge Kenton Kiracofe, Rina Stuck (recorder), Commissioner Jeff Stringer, County Council member Vicki Andrews, Commissioner Blake Gerber, County Council member Seth Whicker and Cliff Thomas (coroner).

Over half of Wells County voters did so by voting early or through an absentee ballot — 8,637 voted early or absentee and 5,665 voted in person on Election Day. In 2020, 4,505 voted on Election Day and 9,715 voted early or by mail.

Zachary Rodgers addresses the room in his final election as Republican Party chairman. (Photos by Jonathan Snyder)

Wells County also had 3,804 straight-ticket votes — 3,272 Republican, 526 Democrat and six Libertarian.

Uncontested County Races

In uncontested county races, Circuit Court Judge Kenton Kiracofe (R) received the most votes for his re-election, 11,938. Cliff Thomas (R) followed shortly behind with 11,747; he will succeed Coroner Hillarie Gaskill, who has reached her term limit.

Pam Gregory (R), who received 11,586 votes, will succeed Kathy Peeper as treasurer. Rina Stuck (R), 11,582, will succeed Carolyn Bertsch as recorder; Stuck will actually transition into the role on Dec. 2, having been caucused into the role while Bertsch steps in as Ossian’s clerk-treasurer. Both Peeper and Bertsch have reached their term limits.

Incumbents Jarrod Hahn (R) received 11,658 votes for surveyor, Blake Gerber (R) 11,251 votes for District 2 Commissioner and Jeff Stringer (R) 11,125 votes for District 3 Commissioner. 

Southern Wells

 school board

Both board candidates for Southern Wells Community Schools were unopposed. Greggory Vanover received 1,391 votes for the board’s Jackson Township seat; current board member Chad Roush did not run for re-election. Incumbent Todd Fiechter, representing Nottingham Township, received 1,571 votes. 

Indiana Races

Wells County voters in District 50 sided with incumbent Republican Lorissa Sweet (386 votes), who was challenged by Democrat Joseph Swisher (55 votes). Matt Lehman (R-Berne) was unopposed in his re-election and received 11,243 votes. 

For U.S. representative, Marlin Schwartz (R) received 10,516 votes in Wells County, Kiley Adolph (D) 2,510, and Jarrad Lancaster (L) 500. Republican Jim Banks secured 10,133 Wells County votes for U.S. senator, Valerie McCray (D) 2,379, and Andrew Homing (L) 370. Wells County gave Todd Rokita (R) 9,891 votes for Attorney General and Destiny Wells (D) 2,876 votes. 

In the gubernatorial race, Republican Mike Braun secured 9,976 votes in Wells County, Democrat Jennifer McCormick 2,983, and Libertarian Donald Rainwater 879. 

Presidential Race

Republican Donald Trump received 77.85% of votes in Wells County, 11,004 in total. Kamala Harris (D) followed with 20.16%, Robert Kennedy (WTP) 0.93%, Chase Oliver (L) 0.79%, and write-in 0.25%.

Public Questions

Indiana voters were asked five public questions at the polls. Wells County voted the following: 

• Removing the state superintendent of public instruction from the line of succession for the governor: 6,927 (55.16%) voted yes and 5,631 (44.84%) voted no.

• Retaining Justice Loretta Rush in the Supreme Court of Indiana: 8,704 (76.97%) voted yes and 2,605 (23.03%) voted no. 

• Retaining Justice Derek Molter in the Supreme Court of Indiana: 8,683 (77.81%) voted yes and 2,476 (22.19%) voted no.

• Retaining Justice Mark Massa in the Supreme Court of Indiana: 8,635 (77.34%) yes and 2,530 (22.66%) voted no. 

• Retaining Judge Rudolph Reginald Pyle III in the Fourth District Court of Appeals: 8,623 (77.38%) voted yes and 2,520 (22.62%) voted no.

holly@news-banner.com

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