The race for the Kosciusko County Council District 2 seat has now become a three-way heat.
Michael Schafer, 48, west of Syracuse, filed his candidacy with Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Ragan. His announcement follows that of Joe Irwin and Mason Charlton.
The council seat became vacant after the death of Republican Councilman Mike Long on Feb. 27. Long’s term expires Dec. 31, 2026. The Republican caucus to select Long’s replacement will be at 6 p.m. March 19 in the old courtroom of the county courthouse in Warsaw.
In a telephone interview, Schafer said he decided to run because, “It was open and Mike Long was a farmer and I thought, ‘Maybe we need another farmer on there and somebody that is a land owner.’”
Schafer said he’s farmed for as long as he can remember, but has held jobs until the farm grew enough to where he could come back to it.
“We are grain. We did have livestock about four years ago. We fed cattle, and then we basically quit doing that, I’m just tired. It takes a lot of effort and I just couldn’t keep up anymore,” he said.
Taxes are a big issue for him.
“I think it’s getting to the point where it’s putting a strain on everybody. I don’t know if (anything about that) can be done or not with the council,” Schafer stated.
“The other thing is, I don’t think any of us would really know what we can do and what is said and that sort of thing until we can get in there. And then, I think, at that time we can do what’s best for the county.”
He is a member of the Lions Club in Milford. He’s on the Dairy Calf Feeders Steering Committee and is involved in 4-H, “so I kind of have an idea of what’s happening.”
Schafer, who has been a Republican his entire life but has never held elected office before, is married with two children, both of whom are in 4-H and FFA.
Asked why he would be the best person for the county council seat, he responded, “I’m level-headed. I’ve came from the bottom up. I have common sense.”
He also said he’s not quick to make decisions and likes to “divulge and find the best solution.”
Eligible members of the caucus are the Republican precinct committee members who have served continuously for 30 days before the commencement of the caucus.
A new District 2 councilman will be elected by a secret ballot of the majority of the voting caucus members to fill the office vacancy. Candidates must reside in Kosciusko County and be a Republican in good standing.
Declarations of candidacy are available at the office of the Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw, be filed with Ragan no later than 72 hours before the commencement of the caucus.
Eligible candidates will be allowed a maximum of three minutes to address the voting caucus.