Winners of the four big contested races in Tuesday’s Republican primary election in Kosciusko County were Matthew J. Buehler for Circuit Court judge; Sue Ann Mitchell for northern district county commissioner; Tyler Huffer for county coroner; and James Moyer for county surveyor.
In the race for Circuit Court judge, Buehler received 4,704 votes (53.05%) with Jack C. Birch receiving 4,163 (46.95%).
“First and foremost, I want to thank Jack, my good friend and a good attorney,” Buehler said in a telephone interview.
He said the race between them was tough and truthful and the two of them made the decision for voters tough on who to elect, “as it should be.”
If Buehler is uncontested and/or wins in the general election in November, he replaces retiring Judge Mike Reed.
Buehler thanked the Kosciusko County voters for putting their faith and trust in him, and he said he was honored to have been chosen. He is excited to be on the ballot in November and promised to work just as hard to win then as he did for the May primary.
“I also want to thank my family, my wife, my three boys and my mom and dad ... and the many people who supported my campaign,” he said, adding that he was humbled beyond words to have been chosen by the voters.

The Zimmer-Biomet Pavilion at Center Lake was busy with primary voters shortly after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union

Moyer, winning the Republican nomination for county surveyor by a vote of 5,756 (66.73%) to Ryan Prince’s 2,870 (33.27%), said, “I’m very appreciative of all of those who supported me to help me win.”
He said he was looking forward to working with all the people involved in the surveyor’s office and is wants to get started as soon as he can. As he already works in the surveyor’s office, he said he knows all the people involved and feels he will be in good shape going forward.
“I received a lot of support and backing and I will be just fine,” Moyer stated.
Huffer received 6,035 votes (65.77%) to be re-elected as county coroner, with challenger Tracy Cutler-Wilson receiving 3,141 votes (34.23%).
“I feel pretty good about the results,” Huffer said. “I am ready to continue on our good mission that we’re doing for the coroner’s office and keep pushing ahead with the improvements we’ve made so far.”
He said the coroner’s office has done a lot in the community so far while he’s been coroner and the office will keep moving ahead.
Mitchell, who has served on the Kosciusko County Council for the past eight years, originally filed for re-election to the council but then switched to run for commissioner for the northern district.
She received 4,220 votes (46.84%), with Syracuse Town Councilman Nathan Scherer receiving 3,180 votes (35.30%) and Marcia Baumgartner receiving 1,609 votes (17.86%).
At the GOP Headquarters after the results came in, Mitchell said, “I am somewhat surprised. I wasn’t sure how this would all end, obviously. I know that I will finish my term as a council member, and I will be ready to go as a commissioner. I am so grateful for the people who felt like I could do the job. I’ve loved working for the county, and I am excited to continue.”
She said she was deeply humbled because she thought everyone would think she’s been around too long.
“I still have a lot to give. I am healthy, I am busy and I am a worker, and I hope to be able to continue doing what I’ve always done - doing research, following up on legislation, which is critical to the county, and staying involved in the Association of Indiana Counties for education,” Mitchell said.
Avis Gunter, one of Mitchell’s dearest mentors, instilled in her how important it is “that you have to get the education piece of the puzzle, and that’s what our county needs. That’s me.”
Mitchell said she appreciates the fact that both Scherer and Baumgartner were involved in the race.
“I wish Nate the best in trying to do something positive for his next step. Marcia has been a great friend. She was township trustee when my husband was a trustee, and she has ran two times before against Brad as well,” she said.

    Poll workers Karen Boling and Gerald Cox (R) help Jim Cox (L) check in while preparing to vote. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
  

Brad Jackson served as the northern district commissioner for about 28 years and decided not to seek re-election this year.
“Great competitors, and I appreciate the fact that they were interested in trying to hold a position,” Mitchell stated.
There were several uncontested county races in the Republican primary. There were no Democrats, Libertarians or other political party candidates running for county office in the primary.
Melissa Boggs received 8,340 votes for the Circuit Court clerk position. Incumbent Ann Torpy could not seek re-election this year due to term limits.
Michelle Puckett received 8,343 votes for county treasurer.
Cary Groninger, middle district county commissioner, received 8,144 votes.
For the three County Council at-large seats, securing the Republican nomination were DeLynn Geiger with 5,461 votes, incumbent Kathleen Groninger with 5,803 votes and Rachael Rhoades with 5,769 votes. Incumbent Joni Truex did not seek re-election and Mitchell ran for commissioner.