Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Alan Trisler and Columbus City Clerk winner Luann Welmer look over election results during the Bartholomew County Republican Party elections results watch party at The Forge on 4th in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023.
For the first time, residents of Columbus elected a city clerk Tuesday.
Republican Luann Welmer won the job with 60.65% of the vote, while Democrat Quisha Jackson garnered 39.95% during Tuesday’s general election.
Although Welmer, 63, is considered by most to be the incumbent, she has actually served in the capacity of clerk-treasurer for the past 12 years.
The growth of Columbus has allowed the community to reclassify itself as a second-class city in terms of population. Not only will the change allow nine members to sit on the city council, rather than the current seven, but it also takes the role of treasurer off the election ballot.
Under Indiana law, Welmer will serve the next four years as city clerk. Mayor-elect Mary Ferdon will appoint a controller who will serve as the city’s chief financial officer.
Welmer, who also chairs the Bartholomew County GOP, says she will miss working with most of her current staff because they will be assigned to the controller’s office.
But Welmer says there will be several things she’ll be able to do with the move to a second-class city status. One of her goals is to scan historic documents and make them available for community members to view.
Last November, the 43-year-old Jackson lost decisively when she challenged incumbent Bartholomew County Clerk Sheri Lentz.
Jackson, a security professional, said Tuesday afternoon that she had to unexpectedly travel on personal business, so she would not be available to provide comment on the election results.
Columbus City Clerk
Luann Welmer (R); 4,134
Quisha Jackson (D); 2,682
