2 township candidates withdraw

While the filing deadline passed for Wayne County Republicans and Democrats, primary voters will see a few differences from the list of candidates shared by Western Wayne News in our Feb. 11 edition.

2 townships

Republican voters in Center Township will now have just one choice, incumbent Vicki Chasteen, in the May primary to serve residents of the Centerville area as township trustee. Tanya Beckman has withdrawn from the race.

The same is true for Green Township. Gwynne Justice also has withdrawn. The only Republican candidate on the primary ballot for the trustee role in the Williamsburg area will be incumbent Robert Conyers.

Indiana’s Democratic and Republican parties require that candidates have voted for the party they’re seeking to represent in the last two primary elections in Indiana in which they voted.

Candidates are to mark on their Indiana Election Division CAN-2 form that they meet that requirement. Or, they can ask their county party chair to certify in writing they are a member of that party and submit that with their declaration of candidacy instead.

Beth Leisure, Wayne County Republican Party chair, said neither candidate contacted her before filing or asked to be certified in spite of their voting records not meeting the party requirement. By challenging their eligibility, the party did its due diligence to make sure the people who signed up to run qualify under state party rules, Leisure said.

She encouraged those interested in running to cast ballots in the next couple elections so their voting record is in order and they can file again.

Young people are needed to run in upcoming elections, Leisure said, and she encourages them to vote and welcomes their involvement in party activities in the meantime before they can qualify to campaign.

Party convention update

Eighteen Republicans from around Wayne County filed to serve as party convention delegates.

However, only voters who live in District 1, generally the Richmond area, will see candidates listed on the ballot because more candidates filed than the six spaces available.

Those who filed to serve as delegates for District 1 are Debra Berry, Bob Bever, Jane Bumbalough, Jeff Cappa, Brad Dwenger, Misty Hollis, J. Clayton Miller, Tara Pegg, Stephen Rabe, Jerry Purcell and Melinda Wilson.

The final delegates for District 2, which is the county’s center, are Aaron Roberts and Lora Roberts. Chris Beeson, Beth Leisure, Jeff Plasterer, Gary Saunders and Max Smith will represent District 3 on the county’s western side.

Later filing deadlines

Other parties

Independent or minority party candidates can file a petition of nomination for the November election for verification of petition signatures. Those candidates’ forms are due by noon June 30. Write-in candidates can file their declaration of intent to run in November. Their form is due by noon July 6.

The Libertarian Party must conduct a county convention to nominate candidates by noon July 3.

School board filing

School board candidates will not be on the primary ballot. They can begin signing up May 19 to be on the November ballot. Their filing deadline is noon Thursday, June 18.