By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Matthew Buehler, Tyler Huffer, James Moyer and Sue Ann Mitchell received the Republican nominations in their respective county races.
Buehler received the nomination for county circuit court judge. Huffer won the nomination for county coroner, Moyer for county surveyor and Sue Ann Mitchell won the nomination for county commissioner- northern district.
Kosciusko County had 20% of its voters turnout for the primary Tuesday, just 1% shy of the 2022 primary.
Circuit Court Judge Race
Buehler edged out his opponent Jack Birch with 53% of the vote to Birch’s 47%. Birch did have a narrow lead in the absentee and early vote results, but that lead dwindled to as high as a 15% vote difference as the votes came in.
“I want to thank first of all Jack Birch, my good friend who is a wonderful attorney and an honorable, honorable man for running a great campaign. Just a very competitive and above the belt campaign that really made the decision very, very tough for the Kosciusko County voters, the voters themselves, who have the confidence in me to go do this extremely important, incredible job; my family: my wife, my three boys, my mom and dad who supported me throughout this entire process and mostly those who supported me throughout the campaign … I’m honored that the people of Kosciusko County have faith in me to do this incredibly important and difficult job and I’m excited for the general election in November and hopefully we can win there too.”
Coroner Race
Huffer defeated his opponent Tracy Cutler-Wilson with 66% of the vote. Huffer lead the race throughout the night as the results were released.
Huffer was excited with the results and the turnout for him. “I think its pretty good results” he stated with just three vote centers yet to be counted. “I’m glad to be staying in the office and being re-elected to the office again, to keep doing the good work that we’re doing and making the improvements we’ve done so far and working upon those improvements,” he stated. He noted he tried to keep level headed throughout the campaign, which was hard and difficult. “We did it and we’ll keep moving forward.”
He noted that he has recently implemented a suicide/overdose review team, which after two meetings have had good results. That team is working with other offices and nonprofit organizations in the county and getting more awareness into the community.
Surveyor Race
Moyer was the overwhelming winner in the county surveyor race receiving 67% of the vote to his opponent, Ryan Prince’s 33%. Throughout the evening when vote totals were released, Moyer kept that 30% or higher vote edge.
When the dust settled, Moyer stated “I want to thank all those who voted for me and supported me through this process and I look forward to working with all the office holders in the courthouse, the landowners and the contractors. I can’t wait to get started.”
Commissioners Race
There appeared no question throughout the evening that Mitchell would take the nomination for county commissioner – northern district. Out of the gate with the first results, Mitchell had a 48% vote lead over her opponents Nate Scherer with 34% and Marcia Baumgartner with 17%. When all votes were tallied Mitchell had received 47% to Scherer’s 35% and Baumgartner’s 18%.
“I am so grateful to the voters for the support and for their vote of confidence in me. I have loved serving the county for many years and this is one more time, to change to one more roll. I’m a researcher. I’m an active person. I want to know what’s going on. I want to be sure we’re voting for the right thing and that we are moving forward in the right direction.
“I have a great deal of love for this community. They’ve been so good to me. I came here and knew nobody. I’ve had such a blessed life. I’m so fortunate and appreciative of everybody who has been supportive,” said Mitchell.
Kosciusko County Republican Chairman, Mike Ragan, stated he knew most of the races would be close. “I’m pleased with all the ones that prevailed and I’m grateful for all of them for running. It’s really risky business to step out and stick your neck out and run in a race. I’m just proud of the candidates who stepped up and offered us a choice.”
County Goes With Braun, Stutzman
While results throughout the state are not yet available, through the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, Kosciusko County’s choice for governor is Mike Braun and Marlin Stutzman for U.S. Rep. District 3.
Braun received 39% of the vote in the county. Coming in second was Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch receiving 21% followed by Brad Chambers at 18%. Doden received 12%, Curtis Hill 7% and Jamie Reitenour 4%.
Stutzman lead the way in the U.S. Rep. District 3 race locally. He received 31% of the vote, followed by Tim Smith with 20% and Wendy Davis with 18%. Vote results for other candidates for U.S. Rep. District 3 were Andy Zay, 17%, Grant Bucher, 6%; Jon Kenworthy, 5%; Mike Felker, 3% and Eric Whalen 2%
Additionally Kosciusko County voters chose Donald Trump over Nikki Haley for President. Trump received 80% of the votes to Haley’s 20%.
McCray, Adolph Win For Democrats
There were two contested Democrat races: U.S. Senate and U.S. Rep. District 3.
It was Valerie McCray defeating Marc Carmichael with 64% of the votes in Kosciusko County for the U.S. Senate nomination. Carmichael received 36%
Kiley M. Adolph received 52% of the vote in Kosciusko County for the U.S. Rep. District 3 race against Phil Gross who received 48%.
View the total vote numbers for the county for all positions up for election here.
