Wanda
English Burnett
Editor
Voters
will have several choices in the primary election on May 4.
In Ripley County voters will see several names on the ballot
for State Representative, the seat Cleo Duncan now holds. Duncan
made the announcement earlier in the year that she would not
be seeking re-election.
Republicans will be able to vote for Martin Marty
Brunner and Jud McMillin, both in District 68; Shawn B. Fields,
Randy Frye, Tony Goodrich, Dale 2 Tall Jones, Martin
W. Marty Voegele, Tami D. Wenning and Cindy Meyer
Ziemke, all in District 67.
Democrats will have these choices: Robert J. Bischoff in District
68 and David Cheatham in District 69.
For State Senator District 43, incumbent Johnny Nugent is being
challenged by Lindsay Patterson.
Republican candidates vying for the US Representative District
9 seat include: Travis Hankins, Mike Sodrel, Rick Warren, and
Todd Young. On the Democrat ticket, incumbent Baron Hill is
challenged by John R. Bottorff, Carol Johnson-Smith, James R.
McClure, Jr. and Lendall B. Terry.
Those on the Republican ballot for Indiana United States Senator
include: Don Bates Jr., Richard Behney, Dan Coats, John N. Hostettler,
and Marlin A. Stutzman.
Local offices that are challenged include that of auditor with
Mark Edward Busching and William Bill Wagner being
on the Republican ballot.
Choices on the Republican ticket for county council include:
Juanita Dee Dee Kaiser, William J. Bill
McDonald, David Simon, and Patricia Dephane Smith.
Edward Armbrecht is uncontested on the Democrat ticket.
The sheriffs race has three choices on the Republican
ticket: Gandy Browning, Donald M. Edwards and Thomas J. Tom
Grills. William Bill Dramann is uncontested on the
Democrat ballot for sheriff.
Candidates for Jac-Cen-Del School Board include: Deanna F. Young,
John E. Billman, and Kathleen Dickman.
Milan School Board candidates are: Stephanie C. Baker, Charles
Bryant, Timothy Tim Tuttle, Kevin J. Walter, Gregory
D. Lewis, Randy Kirk, and David W. Voss.
Osgood Town Council has three names on the Republican ballot:
Linda Krinop, Jeffrey J. Volz and Larry R. Winters. Norman P.
Kappes is on the Democrat ticket for town council.
Those placing their names on the ballot for township trustee
positions on the Republican ticket include: Amy R. Copeland
(Brown), Ronald Denton (Washington), Toni L. Gray (Johnson),
Paul A. Hardy (Delaware), William M. Mike Kissell
(Franklin), Saundra Nobbe (Laughery), and Brenda Warren (Center).
On the Democrat ticket those running for township trustee include:
Edward F. Gindling (Adams), Kerry Samples McConnell (Delaware),
Cynthia A. Melton (Otter Creek), Joan M. Menchhofer (Jackson),
Joyce A. Samples (Johnson), Garry W. Sapp (Franklin), Stacey
Schmaltz (Shelby), and Janice M. Wittich (Brown).
There are several names to choose from for township board member
positions.
Some uncontested races in the primary election include that
of assessor, commissioner, surveyor and prosecutor.
Theres just a few days to make up your mind and to make
sure you have the proper identification to vote. Polling places
will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 4. Voters need to
bring a State of Indiana or U.S. government-issued photo ID
to the polls.
Diane Macek, Ripley County Election Deputy, noted some examples
of photo ID could be a drivers license, college or military
ID, or passport. She said those needing to get a proper ID may
do so even on election day at area license branches. However,
they will need some identification such as a birth certificate,
bank statement, valid gun permit, insurance card, medicaid or
medicare card to obtain a proper photo ID, which will be issued
free of charge.
Absentee voting is higher than in the past primary election,
according to Macek. She noted the last date to vote absentee
is May 3 at noon.
Macek encouraged using the touch screen computers for voting,
saying, Its really easy to do. She said the
touch screens are easier than using your computer at home. You
can double check your answers before casting the final vote.
Chairpersons for the Republican and Democrat parties - Ginger
Bradford, Republican and Michael Baker, Democrat - encourage
Ripley County residents to get out and vote.
(Editors note: For a complete listing of all candidates
and polling places see the legal notice inside todays
paper.)