Businessman Cary Groninger was chosen by Republicans Wednesday night to fill the vacancy on the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners.

Groninger beat out three challengers in a GOP caucus held at the courthouse. He will fill out the remaining term as middle district commissioner after Ron Truex resigned last month.

Groninger won a clear majority of votes on the first ballot.

Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan announced the winner, but did not disclose the vote totals, instead  describing the tally as “lopsided.”

Groninger, 50, is president of G & G Hauling and Excavating.

The other candidates included county council member Joni Truex, Sheal Dirck and Teresa Cosgrove.

Ron Truex stepped down after realizing he had unknowingly moved outside of the middle district boundaries.



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Groninger told the caucus he felt his background in business and agriculture put him in a good position to serve and that he believed he could “hit the ground running.”

He sad he hopes to embrace the same work ethic Ron Truex exhibited and will work hard to serve the county.

Groninger was sworn in today and will participate in his first commissioner meeting Tuesday.

“I’m excited to get behind the big desk here and see if we can help Kosciusko County be a great place,” he said.

Wednesday’s caucus was Groninger’s first attempt at elected office. He’s been a longtime Republican voter, but has not been involved with party politics.

While that might define him as a political outsider, Groninger notes that he knows many of local leaders and many of the 47 Republicans who supported him Wednesday night.

“The opportunity arose, and the more I read about it, the more I felt as though everything I’ve done in life up to this point had prepared me for this position,” Groninger said. “It seemed like a really good fit for me.”

Joni Truex, who is serving in her first year as a council member and teaches college level business classes, emphasized her varied career in farming, building and involvement with numerous groups. She also said she thought her experience prepared her to serve as a commissioner.

Dirck, president of Mavron Inc., also touted his business experience. Cosgrove said she works from home and looked forward to working to improve economic development. She said her military experience would benefit her in the job.

Groninger said he does not think his role with G & G will have any negative impact in his new role.

While the company does a lot of work with the city of Warsaw, Groninger said they “do very little with” the county.

Much of the company’s work involves commercial and industrial site development.

“As for a conflict of interest, I felt that was not going to affect my business or my ability to function as a county commissioner,” Groninger said.

Groninger was expected to fill out necessary disclosure forms that all elected officials face and said in the event there might be a conflict, he would recuse himself in any votes.