Anglin Ousted from County Council after Almost 40 Years
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Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
While nationally many marked the essential end of Senator Richard Lugar’s long career, locally another long political career saw its end.
By the end of Tuesday night’s primary in Kosciusko County, councilman at-large Tom Anglin was on the outside looking in for three Republican at-large spots.
Anglin, 80, who has served on the Kosciusko County Council since 1974, finished fourth Tuesday night with 5,327 votes (19.19 percent).
Jon Fussle narrowly beat Anglin for the third spot with 5,508 votes (19.84 percent).
Fussle, one of the original founders of Kosciusko’s TEA party, Silent No More, said he was more apt to call himself a fiscal conservative.
Fussle said the key to his win was his organization.
“I had so much support from my friends and family,” said Fussle. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my wife for all her efforts.”
In 2010, Fussle, 33, narrowly lost in the Republican primary to Bob Conley for the Kosciusko County Commissioners southern district nomination.
“I’m humbled by the experience from 2010 and this one,” said Fussle.
Fussle said his number one priority if elected in November would be to keep taxes low.
As for Anglin, he was in good spirits despite the loss.
“I had a good, good career. When I finish my career it will be 38 years. Some have said that’s a record, that I don’t know,” said Anglin. “I’m leaving and I’m leaving in good standing. I’m very proud of our county. No regrets.”
Council incumbents Larry E. Teghtmeyer and Bob Sanders finished in first and second respectively with 5,743 and 5,608 votes.
This marks the second straight county council primary where the council president was unseated.
In 2010, then council president Harold Jones lost in his primary to James Moyer.
Anglin will finish out 2012 as the county council’s president.
Other county races that were contested all came from the Republican side.
In the coroner’s race, Michael Wilson defeated fellow deputy coroner and Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello. Wilson, 55, finished with 5,058 votes (50.86 percent) to Ciriello’s 4,031 (40.53 percent). Carl Saint finished with 856 votes (8.61 percent).
Wilson currently works for McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel and was the long-time fire marshal for Warsaw’s fire department.
“We’re really looking forward to growing the office to the next level,” said Wilson. “Tony is an asset to the office. He’s going to stay with the office. We look forward to serving the community as best we can for the next four years.”
Michael Reed, 55, won easily in his race against Stephen Harris for the 54th Circuit Court judge’s race.
Reed earned 66.37 percent of the vote (6,721 votes) to Harris’ 33.63 percent (3,406 votes).
“It’s always a tough job. The challenges we face. Every day is going to be a challenge,” said Reed of the judge’s seat. “I want to look at things fresh and see what we can do to improve the court and how people can use it.”
County Clerk Jason McSherry, treasurer Sue Ann Mitchell, surveyor Richard Kemper all won uncontested races.
County Commissioners Brad Jackson and Ron Truex also won uncontested races.
On the Democratic side, Sarah McKinley will face Mitchell in the fall.
Josh Bartman and Lee Ann Brown will also be on the ballot in the fall as council at-large candidates.
“We had some surprises and we had some disappointments,” said Kosciusko County Democrat Party chairman Terry Bartley.
Bartley lauded McKinley for getting the most votes out of any Democrat in the county beside Joe Donnelly.
“She’s a political newcomer,” said Bartley of McKinley. “We’ll see if she wants to go for it in the fall.”
Bartley said that his party has until June 30 to fill ballots for the council races, coroner and the judge’s race.
“We know it will be an uphill battle,” said Bartley. “But we want to be able to give people choices.”
Those interested in filling those ballot slots can call Bartley at 574-376-0606.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
