The Switzerland County Clerk’s office is now accepting petitions from citizens who wish to run for elected office this year.
The county will hold a Primary Election on Tuesday, May 8th; and the General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 6th. In the primary election, both parties will elect slates of candidates to run in the general election, and will take office in most cases on January 1st, 2013.
The deadline to file for the election is Friday, February 10th, at noon in the clerk’s office.
This year, Switzerland County has the following offices up for election:
– County Recorder
– County Treasurer
– County Coroner
– County Surveyor
– County Commissioner, District One (Jefferson and Craig Townships)
– County Commissioner, District Two (York and Posey Townships)
-Three County Council At-Large seats.
– Republicans will elect Precinct Committeemen
Along with those elections, there will also be an election for State Representative in District 67, where Switzerland County now resides following the re-districting that was done at the state level last year.
During the last election, Switzerland County was in District 68, where Republican Jud McMillin defeated incumbent Democrat Bob Bischoff.
After re-districting, the county now is in District 67, which is more tied to counties to the north. Currently, the State Representative in District 67 is Randy Frye, who resides in Greensburg.
He will be running for reelection on the Republican ticket and will be on the Switzerland County ballot this spring and fall.
According to Switzerland County Circuit Court Clerk Kim Hambrick, as of Tuesday afternoon she had received paperwork for three candidates who have filed this week:
– Darrell Hansel, Democrat, seeking reelection as a County Councilman At-Large.
– Rachel Schuler, Democrat, seeking election as a County Councilman At-Large.
- Richard Lay, Sr., Republican, seeking election as a County Councilman At-Large.
Those three join the following candidates who have already filed:
– Steve Crabtree, Democrat, seeking reelection as a County Councilman At-Large.
– Steve Lyons, Democrat, currently a County Councilman At-Large, but is seeking election as the County Commissioner for District Two (York and Posey Townships).
– Vickie James, Democrat, seeking election as the County Treasurer. Current County Treasurer Stacy Penick has served two terms and cannot seek reelection.
– Darla McAlister, Democrat, seeking reelection as the County Recorder.
- Lewis Fritter, Democrat, seeking reelection as the County Coroner.
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Along with county offices, this is also a national election year, and Indiana will also elect a new Governor, because current Governor Mitch Daniels has served two terms and may not seek another term; a U.S. Senator, where longtime Republican Senator Richard Lugar is feeling heat from his own party in the primary election; and the U.S. House of Representatives, where after helping elect Republican Todd Young in the Ninth District two years ago; Switzerland County has been moved to the Sixth District, where current Representative Mike Pence is not seeking reelection because he is running for Governor.
There is also the U.S. Presidency, where Democrat Barack Obama will seek a second term.
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Looking ahead to the Fall General Election, Switzerland County will also elect four members of the school board.
Currently holding those seats are:
– Jim Phipps from Pleasant Township.
– Bill Roberts from Cotton Township.
– Wayne Daugherty from the Town of Vevay.
- Tonya Moore from York Township.