First To File

Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Laurie Renier was the first person to file this morning at the county clerk’s office for the 2023 city and town elections.

Renier was elected by a Republican caucus Jan. 17, 2022, to the position after the death of Kent Adams. She said Adams told her to “always be first.”

Renier previously worked for the county for 28 years, 13 of those years as the county assessor.

Of her first year as the town’s clerk-treasurer, Renier said, “I enjoy it. I’ve got a legacy to carry on.”

Her husband, Gary, was with her today as she filed.

For the primary election for Syracuse, Warsaw and Winona Lake, candidate filing ends at noon Friday, Feb. 3 for Republican and Democrat candidates only. If the towns listed above do not have a contested primary, then a primary may not be held.

For the towns of Claypool, Etna Green, Leesburg, Mentone, North Webster, Pierceton, Sidney and Silver Lake, the filing period ends at noon Aug. 1 for Republican, Democrat and Libertarian candidates. They may have a town convention if there is a contested race within a party. The party will hold a convention to make their selection from those candidates. If there is a contested race between the parties within a town, they will have an election in November for that town.

Some towns will not have an election at all, because only the set number of candidates filed.