Greg Duke
With three weeks before the filing deadline, those seeking public office to represent some or all of Bartholomew County continue to make their candidacies official.
Two Republicans have filed to fill the Ninth District Congressional seat being vacated by Trey Hollingsworth, R-Jeffersonville.
Bill J. Thomas, a Corydon resident who lost in the 2014 Democratic primary for the same seat, has filed his candidacy again for Ninth District U.S. Representative – this time as a Republican. He will be running against State Senator Eric Houchin, R-Salem, in May. Libertarian candidate Tonya Mills of Mitchell is also running for the same seat.
As a result of the 2021 redistricting, the 9th District will take in all of Jackson, Ohio and Wayne Townships, as well as the southern part of Sandcreek Township in Bartholomew County.
There will also be a primary contest for the Republican nomination for Bartholomew County prosecutor.
One of Nash’s deputy prosecutors, Joshua K. Scherschel, has filed his paperwork in Indianapolis. Scherschel, a 1998 Columbus North graduate, has practiced law since 2014, and began working as a deputy prosecutor in Jackson County in 2015. He started his current position in Columbus in June, 2020.
In the May primary, Scherschel will be challenging fellow Republican Lindsey Holden-Kay, who stepped down as Juvenile Judge last year to run for the position. While Chief Deputy Prosecutor Greg Long announced his intention to run one year ago, he has not yet officially filed his candidacy.
After being chosen by GOP precinct committeemen in late 2020 to fill out the term of Laura DeDomenic, Second District Bartholomew County Council member Greg Duke is putting his name on the primary ballot to retain the seat. DeDomenic will be challenging incumbent county assessor Ginny Whipple in May.
Ben Jackson, a Republican who has served as Columbus Township Trustee since July, 2013, has filed for another term. Two other GOP members, Michael S. Shireman and Lloyd E. Miller, have turned in their paperwork to serve on Jackson’s advisory board.
Another long time office holder, Mark Romine (D), has submitted his candidacy to remain Clifty Township Trustee. Republican William L. Erfmeier is seeking a term on Romine’s advisory board.
In other communities, Democrat Jerry Bragg, who has served on the Hope Town Council since early 2014, has made it official that he’s seeking another term. Three Republicans are seeking town council seats in other communities; Ryan Blaker in Edinburgh, Mark Floyd in Clifford and Levi Brown in Elizabethtown.
Other recent filings include:
German Township Advisory Board: James Stevens (R)
German Township Advisory Board: James Mahoney (D)
Harrison Township Advisory Board: Dana Lynn Parks (R)
Jackson Township Board Member – Dennis E. VonDielingen (R)
Jackson Township Board Member – Joe Hoene (D)
Sandcreek Township Board Member Ruben Guthrie (D)
Sandcreek Township Advisory Board – Ruben Guthrie (D)
Wayne Township Advisory Board – R.J. Burton (R)
Feb. 4 will be the last day to file declaration of candidacy to run in the primary election on May 7.
