Pulaski County had a 25 percent voter turnout Tuesday, or 2,201 of  8,804 registered voters. County voters cast a total of 557 absentee ballots. The absentee votes represented 6.33 percent of Pulaski County's registered voters.

In other challenged Republican contests, John Behny won the nomination to the fall ballot in the coroner's with 63.6 percent of the vote over challenger Alan Mitchell. County Commissioner (Dist. 3) Mike McClure won the primary nomination to the seat he was appointed to last year with 64.6 percent of the vote over challenger Tyler Campbell. Rudy DeSabatine won nominaton for the county council Dist. 2 seat with 54.76 percent of the vote over Doug Roth.

In the only contested Democrat race on the county level, Linda Powers won the nomination in her bid to retain her county council Dist. 3 seat with 63.3 percent of the vote over challenger Jessye Gilley.

 

The Pulaski County voting totals, by precinct, were as follows: (includes absentee votes)

*Incumbent

 

Democrat Ballot
Candidate B C F H IC J M1 M2 M3 M4 RG S T VB WP TOTAL
U.S. Senator                                
Joe Donnelly* 18 21 19 24 26 8 23 42 42 30 16 27 52 29 27 404
U.S. Rep. Dist. 2                                
Douglas Carpenter 4 6 2 2 3 2 2 5 7 2 3 7 5 5 10 65
Pat Hacket 0 7 8 9 3 1 7 14 12 2 4 5 3 5 2

82
Mell Hall 10 10 7 8 12 7 12 21 19 11 3 12 28 8 9 177
Joshi Yatish 1 0 1 4 5 1 5 5 5 9 4 2 10 12 1 65
Roland E. Leech 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 6
John H. Petroff  0 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 4 1 0 4 1 2 18
State Representative Dist. 16                                
Josua Bolen 13 7 6 9 10 2 10 20 18 15 7 11 19 15 11 173
Christina L. Zancy 5 15 11 15 11 5 16 24 24 12 8 17 27 15 9 214
County Surveyor                                
Jenny Weaver Keller 18 21 18 22 23 9 27 38 34 30 15 28 42 32 14 371
County Council Dist. 3                                
Linda Powers *     16     6         13   22     57
Jessye Gilley     2     2         2   27     33
Winamac Town Council                                
David Schambers             20 30 17 22           89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Democrat candidates filed for the offices of circuit court jude, superior court judge, prosecuting attorney, clerk of the circuit court, sheriff, coroner, assessor, county commissioner Dist. 3, county council Dists. 1,2,4, Francesville town council or Francesville town clerk.

 

Republican Ballot

Candidate B C F H IC J M1 M2 M3 M4 RG S T VB WP TOTAL
U.S. Senator                                
Mike Braun 23 34 42 45 35 41 63 67 61 54 23 102 39 53 67 749
Luke Messer 18 6 16 21 27 11 43 33 35 23 18 44 35 36 16 382
Todd Rokita 9 8 27 24 30 32 39 64 35 43 11 78 21 31 25 477
U.S. Rep. Dist. 2                                
Mark Summe 10 12 25 17 27 21 26 36 31 30 19 35 23 19 20 351
Jackie Walorski* 41 34 60 79 72 61 126 137 110 98 34 193 74 95 87 1301
State Rep. Dist. 16                                
Douglas Gutwein* 47 39 68 81 76 71 120 138 119 109 44 217 81 100 93 1403
Circuit Court Judge                                
Timothy Murray 16 27 60 56 49 35 80 95 76 67 36 75 57 65 56 850
Mary Welker 35 20 28 40 54 46 80 86 77 63 17 165 45 64 52 872
Superior Court Judge                                
Crystal Brucker Kocher 44 44 71 85 84 65 125 153 128 108 40 177 83 102 84 1393
Prosecuting Attorney                                
Daniel P. Murphy* 41 40 62 79 83 61 126 137 124 110 36 187 77 101 87

1351
Clerk of the Circuit Court                                
Christina Hoffa* 43 43 68 79 72 60 119 143 116 101 38 179 80 91 84 1316
County Sheriff                                
Jeffery K. Richwine* 49 44 82 93 92 74 137 155 132 117 47 199 91 107 89 1508
County Coroner                                
John R. Behny* 39 24 48 56 46 53 92 122 91 85 26 150 59 67 68 1026
Alan S. Mitchell 9 20 36 37 51 23 57 55 51 40 26 57 34 56 36 588
County Assessor                                
Lorena H. "Holly" VanDerAa* 43 41 68 74 74 68 108 125 114 101 44 186 76 89 89 1300
County Commissioner Dist. 3                                
Tyler Campbell 14 19 26 26 24 32 79 67 54 57 23 65 32 27 32 577
John "Mike" McClure 35 24 57 70 77 47 76 107 93 69 28 140 64 95 70 1052
County Council Dist. 2                                
Douglas Roth* 17       46       70 57           190
Ronald "Rudy" DeSabatine 31       54       74 71           230
County Council Dist. 3                                
Brian Young     53     60         46   73     232
Francesville Town Council                                
Lynn Johns                       109       109
Pamela Antrim                       101       101
Rosa Wuethrich                       103       103
Francesville Town Clerk                                
Cathy Lynn Elston                       125       125
Winamac Town Council                                
Alvin Parish*             69 65 30 56           220
Dan Vanaman*             42 54 25 40           161

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Republican candidates filed for the offices of surveyor or county council Dists. 1,4.

 

Vacancy on Ballot:

Saturday, June 30, is the deadline, by noon, for the Democratic or Republican parties to select a candidate to fill a vacancy on the general election ballot due to a vacancy resulting from no candidate being nominated at a primary.

 

Candidates and interested citizens gathered at the Pulaski County Courthouse lobby Tuesday evening to watch as local returns were posted from the Indiana Primary Election.

Star City Vote Center results for contested races were a follows: Republican U.S. Senate race -  582 for Mike Braun, 300 for Luke Messer and 351 for Todd Rokita. Pulaski County Circuit Court judge Republican race - 660 for Tim Murray and 652 for Mary Welker. County coroner Republican race - 772 for John Behny and 452 for Alan Mitchell. Dist. 3 county commisioner race - 422 for Tyler Campell and 813 for Mike McClure. County Council Dist. 2 Republican race - 163 for Rudy DeSabatine and 140 for Doug Roth. County Council Dist. 3 Democrat race - 27 for Jessye Gilley and 35 for Linda Powers.

Medryville Vote Center results for contested races were a follows: Republican U.S. Senate race - 499 for Mike Braun, 243 for Luke Messer and 291 for Todd Rokita. Pulaski County Circuit Court judge Republican race - 550 for Tim Murray and 541 for Mary Welker. County coroner Republican race - 668 for John Behny and 346 for Alan Mitchell. Dist. 3 county commisioner race - 374 for Tyler Campell and 644 for Mike McClure. County Council Dist. 2 Republican race - 137 for Rudy DeSabatine and 108 for Doug Roth. County Council Dist. 3 Democrat race - 27 for Jessye Gilley and 35 for Linda Powers.

Winamac Vote Center results for contested races were a follows: Republican U.S. Senate race - 413 for Mike Braun, 225 for Luke Messer and 255 for Todd Rokita. Pulaski County Circuit Court judge Republican race - 470 for Tim Murray and 484 for Mary Welker. County coroner Republican race - 585 for John Behny and 296 for Alan Mitchell. Dist. 3 county commisioner race - 329 for Tyler Campell and 559 for Mike McClure. County Council Dist. 2 Republican race - 137 for Rudy DeSabatine and 107 for Doug Roth. County Council Dist. 3 Democrat race - 27 for Jessye Gilley and 33 for Linda Powers.

Francesville Vote Center results for contested races were a follows: Republican U.S. Senate race - 155 for Mike Braun, 82 for Luke Messer and 97 for Todd Rokita. Pulaski County Circuit Court judge Republican race - 139 for Tim Murray and 211 for Mary Welker. County coroner Republican race - 221 for John Behny and 88 for Alan Mitchell. Dist. 3 county commisioner race - 97 for Tyler Campell and 212 for Mike McClure. County Council Dist. 2 Republican race - 26 for Rudy DeSabatine and 11 for Doug Roth. County Council Dist. 3 Democrat race - 23 for Jessye Gilley and 17 for Linda Powers.

Monterey Vote Center results for contested races were a follows: Republican U.S. Senate race - 30 for Mike Braun, 31 for Luke Messer and 18 for Todd Rokita. Pulaski County Circuit Court judge Republican race - 49 for Tim Murray and 34 for Mary Welker. County coroner Republican race - 47 for John Behny and 29 for Alan Mitchell. Dist. 3 county commisioner race - 25 for Tyler Campell and 53 for Mike McClure. County Council Dist. 3 Democrat race - 23 for Jessye Gilley and 15 for Linda Powers.

Pulaski County voters cast a total of 557 absentee ballots. In the Republican U.S. Senate race, 167 of the absentee ballots were for Mike Braun, 82 for Luke Meser and 126 for Todd Rokita. In the Pulaski County circuit court judge Republican race, 190 absentee votes were for Tim Murray and 220 for Mary Welker. In the Republican county coroner race, 254 absentee ballots were cast for incumbent John Behny, and 136 for challenger Alan Mitchell. In the county commisioner Dist. 3 race, 155 votes were cast for Tyler Campbell and 239 for Mike McClure. In the county council Dist. 2 Republican race 67 votes were cast Rudy DeSabatine and 50 for Doug Roth. On the Democrat ticket for county council Dist 3, absentee votes for Jessye Gilley totaled 6, while incumber Linda Powers received 22. The top three vote getters in Pulaski County for the Democrat race for U.S. Rep. Dist. 2 were Mell Hall 46, Pat Hackett 35, and Doug Carpenterr 24. The 557 absentee votes represent 6.33 percent of Pulaski County's registered voters.

  
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Local News Briefs

Indiana Election Division to perform voter list maintenance

In the absence of an election in 2025, the Indiana Election Division will perform routine voter list maintenance in an effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, reports Pulaski County Clerk JoLynn Behny.

 Beginning mid-May, registered voters with an “active” voter status will receive the first in a series of two postcards to verify the registered voter’s correct address. If the information on the post card is correct, the registered voter does not need to take any action.

I-65 to have overnight lane closures near State Road 14

 JASPER COUNTY - Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Rieth-Riley Construction will have overnight lane closures on I-65 from mile marker 217 to 223 (between SR 10 and SR 114) beginning on or after Monday, May 12.

I-65 will be reduced to one lane in the area where work is occurring during the overnight hours of approximately 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Work will be ongoing through mid-October.

Spring property taxes due Monday, May 12

Pulaski County taxpayers are reminded by the Pulaski County Treasurer's Office that the spring installment of property taxes are due Monday, May 12.

The taxes may be paid at the County Building (Rm. 307) or County Highway Garage in Winamac, or at several banks around the county.

PMH seeks community input identifying health needs of local communities

Survey deadline May 17

WINAMAC - Pulaski Memorial Hospital has announced the launch of its 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive initiative aimed at identifying and addressing the most pressing health needs of our local communities.

“Community feedback is essential” said Hospital CEO Steve Jarosinski. ”PMH will be gathering input from residents, local organizations, community leaders, and even other area healthcare professionals to better understand the health challenges and opportunities across the region.”

PCPL lists activities, programs for May

The Pulaski County Public Library has listed its programs and activities for May. They include restorative yoga classes, adult canvas painting, and the opening celebration of the Story Trail at the park.

For more information on any program, call the library at 574-946-3432 or visit the library’s website at www.pulaskicounty.lib.in.us. 

  

Indiana News

Gov. Braun signs HB1144

INDIANAPOLIS (May 6) – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has signed HB1144 which will make some adjustments in the state’s court systems.

Pulaski Superior Court and seven other rural courts have been spared from closure, following revisions made late last month to the proposed bill approved by both the state house and senate April 24 in the Indiana General Assembly.

Northwest Indiana Forum hosts legislative wrap-up

CHESTERTON (May 2) – The Northwest Indiana Forum welcomed over 90 members for its annual Legislative Wrap-Up event Friday featuring bipartisan legislators from Northwest Indiana.

An engaging and informative panel discussion with the six key state lawmakers reflected on the 2025 Indiana General Assembly session and its impact on the region.

Pulaski County March unemployment rate drops to 3.1%

Pulaski County's unemployment rate dropped to 3.1 percent in March, down from 4.3 percent in February, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported Monday, (April 21). The rate was 3.7 percent a year ago.

The county had 6,586 employed persons in a labor force of 6,795 in March. In February those numbers were 6,533 of 6,830. A year ago the numbers were 6,302 of 6.546.

 

Indiana Health News

Measles out break in 29 states continues to be of concern

The U.S Center for Disease Control continues to monitor the growing outbreak of measles in the U.S. which is approaching 1,000 cases in 29 states.

Eight cases have were reported in the Indiana last month, all in Allen County. No additional cases have been reported in the state since that time.

  

Post News

PCELN works to build infrastructure for quality childcare in Pulaski County

Pulaski County Early Learning Network (PCELN) is working to ensure families in Pulaski County have access to affordable, quality childcare.

The network notes that many different groups in the county community must come together to address this critical need. Access to high-quality early childhood education means that children are more likely to build a foundation for success in school and life.

West Central School Board honored by Indiana School Boards Association

FRANCESVILLE - The West Central School Corporation School Board has been recognized by the Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) with an Exemplary Governance Award (EGA) for calendar year 2024 for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to student success and professional learning.

Only 124 school boards in the State of Indiana earned awards through the EGA program this year.

Economic Summit addresses county's financial health, state budget

'Making a place where we choose to live'
With a major restoration of the county courthouse nearing completion and a host of additional business and community projects under development, the mood was upbeat at the annual Pulaski County Economic Development Summit Tuesday (April 29). The event is hosted by the Pulaski County Community Development Commission.

CDC executive director Nathan Origer gave updates on projects and county economics, while keynote speaker Stephanie Wells, president of the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute, reviewed legislation from this year's session of the Indiana General Assembly.

BraunAbility to expand Winamac facilities with new product line

WINAMAC - BraunAbility has announced a $3.8 million investment in its Winamac operations to support production of the new BraunAbility Ram ProMaster.

This funding will cover land acquisition, land work, fencing, drainage and building improvements. Construction, utilizing local contractors, will continue through Spring 2026.

Marlatt, Vanderkleed join IBA 40-Year Club

FRANCESVILLE - Alliance Bank has recently recognized Kimberly Marlatt and Lori Vanderkleed with membership into the 40-Year Club of the Indiana Bankers Association (IBA).

The club recognizes banking professionals who have completed 40 years or more of service to the Indiana banking community. Inductees are given IBA keepsakes and letters of congratulations.