COLUMBUS, Ind. — A potential successor to Bartholomew County GOP Chairwoman Barb Hackman is hoping to bring a younger perspective to her party.
Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer announced she is seeking to succeed Hackman, who announced in late January that she is stepping down after eight years as chairwoman.
“If chosen, my responsibility would be generating some excitement with the group, fundraising, and supporting any candidates we want to put on the ballot,” Welmer said.
The slate of officers she has chosen to run with her include Josh Burnett as vice-chair, Leah Beyer as secretary and Liana Lienhoop as treasurer. The new county GOP leader will be chosen at 10 a.m. March 6 at YES Cinema.
When asked if that slate was a conscious effort to bring in young blood and new ideas to the local Republican party, Welmer said: “Absolutely.”
“That’s exact what we are looking for,” Welmer said. “All of the people I have spoken with are requesting a new and youthful group that are energized, have some really good ideas, and want to take the party to the next level.”
Besides their youth, all of the people on Welmer’s slate of candidates have different strengths that, together, will make a great team, she said. Some are able to speak in front of crowds and energize local Republicans.
“I don’t really like to be in the forefront,” Welmer said. “I’m more of a worker bee. I want to get thing done and make things happen.”
Since there is no election in 2021, this is the best time for Republicans to energize their local party by expanding upon what is already established, as well as growing the number of supporters, volunteers and candidates, Welmer said.
“I’m encouraged by the support I’ve already received from Republicans in the county to bring energy from a younger slate of individuals who want to restart the Young Republicans group and focus on recruiting candidates for the county elections in 2022, and the Hope and Columbus municipal races in 2023,” Welmer said.
But that doesn’t mean her party isn’t going to continue to stand by their long-standing members. Veteran Republicans are needed to guide the younger members going forward, she said. The veteran GOP members also have valuable ideas and information that the younger members can gain from them. “But we just wanted to evolve a little bit further,” she said.
Several of the most active Republicans have been donating their time, effort and money for decades, she said.
“Sometimes, you just get tired of volunteering — and it’s all volunteer,” Welmer said. “You just want someone else to take the reins, but we want all of our local participants to be there for us, and help grow the party.”
Dwayne Hines, who has served several years as vice-chairman of the party, has confirmed he will also be seeking the chairmanship.
Welmer has served as the Bartholomew County Republican Party treasurer for the last eight years. She was elected clerk-treasurer for the city of Columbus in 2011, and re-elected in 2015 and 2019.
She is a graduate of Purdue University. She and her husband, David, are members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. They have two adult children, Lydia and Elliott.
