Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In one of the most competitive caucus battles in recent local history, Kim Cates of Syracuse was chosen Wednesday night by Republican leaders to fill the vacancy on Kosciusko County Council after the death of Bob Sanders.
Cates was one of seven people to seek the seat and was selected in a county-wide caucus of Republican precinct leaders.
After five ballots were used to narrow the field, Cates faced Tressa Nichols of North Webster in the sixth ballot and won, 37-23, according to party leaders.
Other candidates included Harold Jones of North Webster, Brett Harter of Leesburg, Paul Finley of Warsaw, Josh Finch of Warsaw and Jon Fussle of Warsaw.
Cates is expected to join council Thursday night when members convene for a monthly meeting.
Sanders, 69, died May 14 and had been currently serving as council president.
Wednesday’s caucus was the first of two this month for Republicans. Precinct leaders will gather again on June 21 to select a new sheriff after Aaron Rovenstine was pushed out of office following his sentence on a felony intimidation charge.
Look for an updated version of this story in Thursday’s print edition and later Thursday online at timesuniononline.com.
