Girod Re-elected Kosciusko County GOP Chairman, Three Other Seats Re-Elected
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Randy Girod was re-elected to a second term as the Kosciusko County Republican Party chairman during a reorganization meeting Saturday. Also during the meeting, Marsha McSherry was re-elected vice chair, Christy Polk was re-elected secretary, and Steve Foster was re-elected treasurer. There were 111 precinct and vice precinct committee members out of 134 – a turnout of 83 percent – who voted for the GOP chairman seat during the meeting at the Kosciusko County Courthouse. Girod was elected to the seat four years ago, and will serve another four-year term. Michael Ragan also sought the seat. Nominations were taken from the floor for the vice chair, secretary and treasurer positions. Suzanne Myrick nominated Marsha McSherry for the vice chair seat, seconded by Mike Gavin; Jason McSherry nominated Christy Polk for the secretary seat, seconded by Doug Jones; and Dan Hampton nominated Steve Foster for the treasurer seat, seconded by Lynn Howie. Girod and Ragan had two minutes to speak about why they were seeking the seat. After they spoke, Steve Foster and Terry Howie passed out ballots to the precinct and vice precinct committeemen to vote. Kent Adams and John Elliott served as vote counters. Each candidate had a vote counter watcher. Girod and Ragan spoke about why they were seeking the county GOP seat. “I believe in the Republican party, I believe in the Republican ideals and principles of fiscal frugality and limited government intervention,” Girod said. He said he is convinced that under Republican stewardship the state of Indiana and Kosciusko County are better places to live and to work than those states and counties under democrat control. Girod has served as a precinct committeeman for the past 29 years. He also has served as a delegate to many state GOP conventions, as a county coordinator for Republican nominees for U.S. senate and governor, and has been involved in campaigns as a chairman, treasurer and volunteer. He also served as a Kosciusko County prosecuting attorney. Girod said he has worked diligently to welcome, encourage and nurture new people into party events and activities. He has administered 19 contested caucuses as GOP chairman when there is a vacancy in a Republican elected official seat. Girod thanked Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee members Marsha McSherry, Christy Polk, and Steve Foster for their service. Ragan thanked the precinct committee and vice committee members for allowing him to share his vision for a more vigorous and energetic Kosciusko County republican party. He said he had an image of a more robust party that takes advantage of the gifts and talents of all the precinct committee members. He said one of his ideas was to conduct monthly GOP breakfast meetings for those interested in attending. He also suggested the party could have a monthly newsletter and a website updated with current events. “The Republican party in Kosciusko County has been a strong party for many years and has fielded many strong, qualified and capable office holders,” Ragan said. Ragan said the county must maintain Republican consistency with compelling leadership, unwavering zeal and steadfast determination. Aaron Rovenstine, former GOP chairman, commended both candidates for running for the seat and said they ran their campaigns in a civil manner and said Girod and Ragan are both fine individuals. Also during the meeting, Sue Ann Mitchell, Kosciusko County Republican Women’s Club chair, encouraged women who are interested to join the club. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting the club. The group will collect breakfast and snack items in March to send to soldiers in Afghanistan. Items can be dropped off at the Kosciusko County clerk-treasurer’s office. Another upcoming Republican event is a caucus March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Kosciusko County Courthouse to replace Kosciusko County Clerk of the Circuit Court Jason McSherry. Ann Torpy, Mentone, and Christopher S. Sanders, Warsaw, have filed for the seat.
