Christopher Bartels
A Tipton Lakes dentist has decided to run for Columbus City Council.
Dr. Christopher Lee Bartels, a Republican, filed his paperwork Tuesday morning for the council’s District 1 seat, which is currently held by Councilman Jerone Wood, a Democrat.
Bartels is the lead dentist at Tipton Lakes Family Dentist. This is his first time seeking public office.
“After thinking about it and having a few people mention it to me, I decided that I think it’s a good fit, and it might be a good calling for me,” he said.
Bartels said that his family moved downtown a couple of years ago and became involved with the Columbus Park Foundation and First Christian Church. Some of his fellow Republicans who attend the church discussed the idea of running for city council with him.
Bartels’s priorities include continued downtown growth, education, parks department projects and increasing community involvement with parks and city programs.
“I want to strive for a continued sense of community,” he said. “Growing up in Brown County, we wanted to move back to the area but we settled on Columbus because of the amount of community involvement and the family-friendly activities. I have seen a decline since COVID, and I would like to, however I can, be a part of any policies or any people who come through the city council with new ideas.”
Wood, who currently represents District 1, said he plans to run for city council again. However, due to new council district maps, he will need to file for District 3. The district is currently represented by Councilman David Bush, who is a Republican.
Bush told The Republic that he does not plan to run for city council again.
“I really enjoyed my time on council, but the time commitment is just too much for my family right now,” he said.
Democrat incumbent Grace Kestler, and Republicans Alex Engelbert, Christopher Rutan and Josh Burnett have filed to run for Columbus City Council at-large. Councilman Frank Miller, a Republican representing District 4, has filed for reelection, and Republican Kent Anderson is seeking the council’s District 5 seat.
Republicans Mary Ferdon and Milo Smith are running for mayor of Columbus. Former Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers, a fellow Republican, announced Tuesday that he was withdrawing his candidacy for mayor.
Columbus Clerk-Treasurer Luann Welmer, a Republican, has filed to run for Columbus city clerk.
Filings are completed in person at the Bartholomew County Clerk’s office at the courthouse. The deadline to file for the primary is Feb. 3, and the deadline to withdraw as a candidate is Feb. 10.
