With Redistricting Over, Legislators Look Toward Election
October 7, 2021 at 2:03 a.m.
With Redistricting Over, Legislators Look Toward Election
By David [email protected]
The three were among a number of elected officials and candidates at the Kosciusko County GOP fish fry Wednesday at the county fairgrounds.
On Monday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave his approval to the Republican redrawing of the districts, based on the 2020 Census, that will be used in elections for the next 10 years.
“I don’t think it affected our district much at all. I really didn’t have a dog in the fight,” Walorski said. “It is what it is, and I think there were some tweaks on the LaPorte side, and some tweaks down here in Kosciusko County. Honestly, I haven’t had time to sit and look at what those tweaks are, but, you know what, I run in half-a-percent districts – lost by half a percent, then won by half a percent. I’ve won by five, I’ve won by 10. I really didn’t have a dog in the fight. You know why? If it’s a district, no matter what it is, and I’m running, then I’m going to run to win.”
She said however the district lines fall, she’s going to “represent them. I’m going to fight to have their backs. If it’s manufacturing or agriculture, which really makes up this district, I’m an experienced fighter on both ends and I’m ready to go again.”
In September, the U.S. House narrowly passed a $3.5 trillion budget plan. The budget reconciliation process has gotten messy, with moderate and more liberal factions in the Democrat Party disagreeing on the details of the social spending package. Walorski pointed out that it was the Democratic House that was trying to pass the enormous budget and President Biden’s infrastructure spending. The Democrats narrowly have control of the House and Senate.
“This is a disaster of their own making. And so I’ve been there. I’ve been in the majority, and I’ve been in the minority. And, you know what, when parties get themselves in this kind of corner, where they’re trying to spend more than the American people want them to, and then they start getting the political pressure, and (Speaker of the House Nancy) Pelosi can’t control them, can’t control her own members, these fights are their fights, they’re not our fights. I represent the majority of the people in this district that don’t want that spending. They don’t want left-wing liberal ideas taking more money from their left- and right-hand pocket, and that’s exactly what the Democrats are doing,” Walorski said.
She said the Democrats will “pay the piper” on this deal come next November when the Republicans get the House and Senate back “and put the brakes on this wild spending and these wild ideas and these wild ways of killing jobs and those kind of things. That’s not what this district is about, so I’m going to stay where I am, having the backs of the workers in this district and the families in this district and going after those Democrats every single day.”
She said the greatest advantage the GOP has in winning back the Senate and House next year is Joe Biden, a Democratic House with Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer.
“Those three names right there will propel Republicans back into office because we’re here to fight for our families, family values. We’re here to fight for the right of those unborn. We’re here ... listening to our district. They’re not. We’ll win,” Walorski concluded.
Competition
The redistricting plan will have a big impact on Indiana House District 22. Curt Nisly has served as representative for that district since 2014, while Rep. Craig Snow was elected to District 18 in 2020. The redistricting plan put both Nisly and Snow in new District 22 for the May primary.
“It’s the people’s seat. I’m here to represent the people so it’s not my seat anyway. It’s the people’s,” Nisly said. “So whether there’s two of us on the ballot or 10 people on the ballot, it’s always up to the voters.”
He confirmed he was running in the election for the seat.
“I’ll do what I’ve always done. I’m going to work hard. I’m going to go out and meet the voters and let them decide and hope they choose wisely,” Nisly said.
Asked what he could tell a voter about what he got done this past legislative session, Nisly said, “Major policy wins that I was a part of directly. From the vaccine passport ban for government – I would like to see it go farther than that – but at least state government, local government. I was a part of that.”
He also pointed out that he was directly a part of “driver’s licenses can’t be used for vaccine status” and “several other big initiatives.” He said he counted six things that got through that he was directly a part of.
If re-elected, Nisly said he wants to reign in the powers of the governor during a state of emergency. He said it was “unconscionable” what the governor can do just by signing a piece of paper that says we’re in a state of emergency.
Snow said, just having finished his first term, it was a very interesting experience.
“I learned a lot. I’m still realizing I have a lot more to learn, and so I am planning to run again, and I recognize that I actually have an incumbent that I have to run against. The first time I did this I didn’t have an incumbent, so running against someone with a lot more experience might be tough,” Snow said.
District 18 used to be represented by Dave Wolkins for over 30 two-year terms, but Wolkins decided to retire and not seek re-election in 2020.
Snow said what he was really thankful for is that now District 22 is primarily Kosciusko County.
“The nice thing is, they get to represent the whole county pretty much, with the exception of two townships, so that’s really exciting,” Snow said. “So if I’m able to win and serve that district, I think that will be great because it’s one county and it’s the county I grew up in, I raised my children in, I do business in, I live life in that county so I’m excited about that opportunity. It’ll be a tough race, I pray it’ll be a clean race, and we’ll have some healthy debates and kind of go from there and let the voters decide. I’m excited to get the opportunity to serve in the county that I’ve lived in.”
During his first term in the Indiana House, Snow said he focused on building relationships because, “I really believe that getting things done means that you know who to talk to, what the issues are, you learn those. And quite frankly, I was very fortunate that I was able to carry a bill from inception to completion. So, by being able to do that, I learned the process from start to finish and that was really enlightening to me. So I feel I have at least a small understanding of this whole thing and I think I know enough people now that I can actually work with others to try to get things moving forward. I’m excited to see what I can take on this next session, and hopefully, if I get re-elected for a second term, to keep working for the folks in Kosciusko County.”
New Kosciusko Rep.
The two townships that won’t be in District 22 – Turkey Creek and Tippecanoe – will be represented by David Abbott, District 82, under the new redistricting plan.
“I’m somewhat familiar with those areas. As a kid, I used to come over to Wawasee and Syracuse Lake and North Webster. So it feels good,” he said.
Abbott said he likes to represent lakes because Noble County is in his district and he has “probably several hundred lakes” in his district.
“Between myself now and Rep. (Denny) Zent, we probably have 90% of all the lakes in Indiana. Of course, now, I’ve got the largest freshwater lake in the state, and I’m looking forward – really looking forward – to working with the people on the lakes in particular on water quality,” Abbott said.
Water quality is an issue he’s already been working on with others. He said it’s time to get boots on the ground and make things happen.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good challenge. It’s a new territory. I want to get to know people and get to meet them and find out what all the issues are, not just the lakes, but find out what the community’s needs are and try to be there for them,” Abbott said.
Auditors
Indiana Auditor Tera Klutz was at the GOP fish fry Wednesday, and so was Chasity Sandy, who plans to seek the Kosciusko County auditor position in the next election.
Klutz said she came to her first Kosciusko GOP fish fry about four years ago.
“It’s such a great environment. You get to see so many different people from the community, and you don’t have to listen to or give big political speeches, so it’s just a whole different environment. It’s super fun,” she said.
Her office, Klutz said, recently was notified that for the 27th year in a row, they had no material findings and had an excellent audit again.
“I’m the auditor for the state of Indiana, but I’m like the comptroller or (chief financial officer). We pay all the bills, we pay all the employees, we do all the accounting and the reporting. So getting that latest certificate for our 2020 report is amazing,” Klutz said.
She said, hands down, Indiana has handled its financial resources “in a most excellent manner.”
Sandy said she was running for auditor in 2022 because she is dedicated to the county.
“I put in 27 years with the county so far. I feel like it’s a good next step for me. I worked throughout county government for 27 years. I am kind of ready for a challenge. I feel like this is my county. I love it. I was born and raised here and I want to serve,” she said.
Sandy currently serves as the GIS coordinator in the auditor’s office.
County Council
All four County Council district seats (1, 2, 3 and 4) will be up for election in 2022. Those districts currently are represented by Kim Cates, District 1; Mike Long, District 2; Ernie Wiggins, District 3; and Jon Garber, District 4.
The other three Council seats are at-large and Joni Truex, Sue Ann Mitchell and Kathleen Groninger were elected to fill them in the 2020 election.
Wiggins said Wednesday he will not seek re-election.
“It’s just time. Let somebody else get involved in government,” he said. District 3 includes the city of Warsaw and town of Winona Lake currently, but he wasn’t sure if the districts would have to be redrawn because of the 2020 Census. That would be the Commissioners’ job anyway, he said.
Wiggins joined the Warsaw Common Council in 1981. He became Warsaw mayor in 1997 through 2011. In August 2016, a Republican caucus named Wiggins to the County Council to replace Brad Tandy, who moved to California.
Two men who planned to seek Wiggins’ seat on the Council were at the fish fry, though one declined to comment as he is preparing a formal announcement for later this month.
The other man, Scott Clay, 24, used the fish fry to let people know he was seeking the District 3 seat on the Council.
“I’ve been involved in the community for the last few years very heavily, and I just wanted to find another way to serve the community. I’ve managed several businesses and I think this is a good way for me to continue to carry the torch for Kosciusko County,” he said.
Cates, Long and Garber have not yet officially said if they plan to seek re-election in 2022.
Sheriff’s Race
Another hot race for Kosciusko County in 2022 could be the sheriff’s race, which will pit incumbent Kyle Dukes against long-time deputy Jim Smith.
Smith said he was “very encouraged” by how his campaign was going so far.
“There’s a lot of positive feedback. I’m getting to do a lot of things and see a lot of people and hearing a lot of great things,” he said.
Some days, he said, the election seems right around the corner, but other days it seems a ways out.
“We’re just taking it day by day and we’re very encouraged by the way it’s going so far,” Smith said.
Candidates for southern district county commissioner who have announced so far – Bob Conley and Don Wiesehan – also were working the fish fry, which raises money for the Republican party. Both recently were featured in the newspaper.
The three were among a number of elected officials and candidates at the Kosciusko County GOP fish fry Wednesday at the county fairgrounds.
On Monday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb gave his approval to the Republican redrawing of the districts, based on the 2020 Census, that will be used in elections for the next 10 years.
“I don’t think it affected our district much at all. I really didn’t have a dog in the fight,” Walorski said. “It is what it is, and I think there were some tweaks on the LaPorte side, and some tweaks down here in Kosciusko County. Honestly, I haven’t had time to sit and look at what those tweaks are, but, you know what, I run in half-a-percent districts – lost by half a percent, then won by half a percent. I’ve won by five, I’ve won by 10. I really didn’t have a dog in the fight. You know why? If it’s a district, no matter what it is, and I’m running, then I’m going to run to win.”
She said however the district lines fall, she’s going to “represent them. I’m going to fight to have their backs. If it’s manufacturing or agriculture, which really makes up this district, I’m an experienced fighter on both ends and I’m ready to go again.”
In September, the U.S. House narrowly passed a $3.5 trillion budget plan. The budget reconciliation process has gotten messy, with moderate and more liberal factions in the Democrat Party disagreeing on the details of the social spending package. Walorski pointed out that it was the Democratic House that was trying to pass the enormous budget and President Biden’s infrastructure spending. The Democrats narrowly have control of the House and Senate.
“This is a disaster of their own making. And so I’ve been there. I’ve been in the majority, and I’ve been in the minority. And, you know what, when parties get themselves in this kind of corner, where they’re trying to spend more than the American people want them to, and then they start getting the political pressure, and (Speaker of the House Nancy) Pelosi can’t control them, can’t control her own members, these fights are their fights, they’re not our fights. I represent the majority of the people in this district that don’t want that spending. They don’t want left-wing liberal ideas taking more money from their left- and right-hand pocket, and that’s exactly what the Democrats are doing,” Walorski said.
She said the Democrats will “pay the piper” on this deal come next November when the Republicans get the House and Senate back “and put the brakes on this wild spending and these wild ideas and these wild ways of killing jobs and those kind of things. That’s not what this district is about, so I’m going to stay where I am, having the backs of the workers in this district and the families in this district and going after those Democrats every single day.”
She said the greatest advantage the GOP has in winning back the Senate and House next year is Joe Biden, a Democratic House with Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer.
“Those three names right there will propel Republicans back into office because we’re here to fight for our families, family values. We’re here to fight for the right of those unborn. We’re here ... listening to our district. They’re not. We’ll win,” Walorski concluded.
Competition
The redistricting plan will have a big impact on Indiana House District 22. Curt Nisly has served as representative for that district since 2014, while Rep. Craig Snow was elected to District 18 in 2020. The redistricting plan put both Nisly and Snow in new District 22 for the May primary.
“It’s the people’s seat. I’m here to represent the people so it’s not my seat anyway. It’s the people’s,” Nisly said. “So whether there’s two of us on the ballot or 10 people on the ballot, it’s always up to the voters.”
He confirmed he was running in the election for the seat.
“I’ll do what I’ve always done. I’m going to work hard. I’m going to go out and meet the voters and let them decide and hope they choose wisely,” Nisly said.
Asked what he could tell a voter about what he got done this past legislative session, Nisly said, “Major policy wins that I was a part of directly. From the vaccine passport ban for government – I would like to see it go farther than that – but at least state government, local government. I was a part of that.”
He also pointed out that he was directly a part of “driver’s licenses can’t be used for vaccine status” and “several other big initiatives.” He said he counted six things that got through that he was directly a part of.
If re-elected, Nisly said he wants to reign in the powers of the governor during a state of emergency. He said it was “unconscionable” what the governor can do just by signing a piece of paper that says we’re in a state of emergency.
Snow said, just having finished his first term, it was a very interesting experience.
“I learned a lot. I’m still realizing I have a lot more to learn, and so I am planning to run again, and I recognize that I actually have an incumbent that I have to run against. The first time I did this I didn’t have an incumbent, so running against someone with a lot more experience might be tough,” Snow said.
District 18 used to be represented by Dave Wolkins for over 30 two-year terms, but Wolkins decided to retire and not seek re-election in 2020.
Snow said what he was really thankful for is that now District 22 is primarily Kosciusko County.
“The nice thing is, they get to represent the whole county pretty much, with the exception of two townships, so that’s really exciting,” Snow said. “So if I’m able to win and serve that district, I think that will be great because it’s one county and it’s the county I grew up in, I raised my children in, I do business in, I live life in that county so I’m excited about that opportunity. It’ll be a tough race, I pray it’ll be a clean race, and we’ll have some healthy debates and kind of go from there and let the voters decide. I’m excited to get the opportunity to serve in the county that I’ve lived in.”
During his first term in the Indiana House, Snow said he focused on building relationships because, “I really believe that getting things done means that you know who to talk to, what the issues are, you learn those. And quite frankly, I was very fortunate that I was able to carry a bill from inception to completion. So, by being able to do that, I learned the process from start to finish and that was really enlightening to me. So I feel I have at least a small understanding of this whole thing and I think I know enough people now that I can actually work with others to try to get things moving forward. I’m excited to see what I can take on this next session, and hopefully, if I get re-elected for a second term, to keep working for the folks in Kosciusko County.”
New Kosciusko Rep.
The two townships that won’t be in District 22 – Turkey Creek and Tippecanoe – will be represented by David Abbott, District 82, under the new redistricting plan.
“I’m somewhat familiar with those areas. As a kid, I used to come over to Wawasee and Syracuse Lake and North Webster. So it feels good,” he said.
Abbott said he likes to represent lakes because Noble County is in his district and he has “probably several hundred lakes” in his district.
“Between myself now and Rep. (Denny) Zent, we probably have 90% of all the lakes in Indiana. Of course, now, I’ve got the largest freshwater lake in the state, and I’m looking forward – really looking forward – to working with the people on the lakes in particular on water quality,” Abbott said.
Water quality is an issue he’s already been working on with others. He said it’s time to get boots on the ground and make things happen.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a good challenge. It’s a new territory. I want to get to know people and get to meet them and find out what all the issues are, not just the lakes, but find out what the community’s needs are and try to be there for them,” Abbott said.
Auditors
Indiana Auditor Tera Klutz was at the GOP fish fry Wednesday, and so was Chasity Sandy, who plans to seek the Kosciusko County auditor position in the next election.
Klutz said she came to her first Kosciusko GOP fish fry about four years ago.
“It’s such a great environment. You get to see so many different people from the community, and you don’t have to listen to or give big political speeches, so it’s just a whole different environment. It’s super fun,” she said.
Her office, Klutz said, recently was notified that for the 27th year in a row, they had no material findings and had an excellent audit again.
“I’m the auditor for the state of Indiana, but I’m like the comptroller or (chief financial officer). We pay all the bills, we pay all the employees, we do all the accounting and the reporting. So getting that latest certificate for our 2020 report is amazing,” Klutz said.
She said, hands down, Indiana has handled its financial resources “in a most excellent manner.”
Sandy said she was running for auditor in 2022 because she is dedicated to the county.
“I put in 27 years with the county so far. I feel like it’s a good next step for me. I worked throughout county government for 27 years. I am kind of ready for a challenge. I feel like this is my county. I love it. I was born and raised here and I want to serve,” she said.
Sandy currently serves as the GIS coordinator in the auditor’s office.
County Council
All four County Council district seats (1, 2, 3 and 4) will be up for election in 2022. Those districts currently are represented by Kim Cates, District 1; Mike Long, District 2; Ernie Wiggins, District 3; and Jon Garber, District 4.
The other three Council seats are at-large and Joni Truex, Sue Ann Mitchell and Kathleen Groninger were elected to fill them in the 2020 election.
Wiggins said Wednesday he will not seek re-election.
“It’s just time. Let somebody else get involved in government,” he said. District 3 includes the city of Warsaw and town of Winona Lake currently, but he wasn’t sure if the districts would have to be redrawn because of the 2020 Census. That would be the Commissioners’ job anyway, he said.
Wiggins joined the Warsaw Common Council in 1981. He became Warsaw mayor in 1997 through 2011. In August 2016, a Republican caucus named Wiggins to the County Council to replace Brad Tandy, who moved to California.
Two men who planned to seek Wiggins’ seat on the Council were at the fish fry, though one declined to comment as he is preparing a formal announcement for later this month.
The other man, Scott Clay, 24, used the fish fry to let people know he was seeking the District 3 seat on the Council.
“I’ve been involved in the community for the last few years very heavily, and I just wanted to find another way to serve the community. I’ve managed several businesses and I think this is a good way for me to continue to carry the torch for Kosciusko County,” he said.
Cates, Long and Garber have not yet officially said if they plan to seek re-election in 2022.
Sheriff’s Race
Another hot race for Kosciusko County in 2022 could be the sheriff’s race, which will pit incumbent Kyle Dukes against long-time deputy Jim Smith.
Smith said he was “very encouraged” by how his campaign was going so far.
“There’s a lot of positive feedback. I’m getting to do a lot of things and see a lot of people and hearing a lot of great things,” he said.
Some days, he said, the election seems right around the corner, but other days it seems a ways out.
“We’re just taking it day by day and we’re very encouraged by the way it’s going so far,” Smith said.
Candidates for southern district county commissioner who have announced so far – Bob Conley and Don Wiesehan – also were working the fish fry, which raises money for the Republican party. Both recently were featured in the newspaper.
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