LAFAYETTE, IN — Ballots for November’s elections are about to change this week as the county’s Republicans hold a caucus on Thursday ahead of Friday’s deadline to fill vacant races with a candidate.
Candidates for the vacant races have until 6 p.m. Monday, June 29, to announce their intentions to the caucus to file for a vacant office.
John Wilson announced to the caucus that he will run for Wabash Township trustee, if approved by the caucus, Tippecanoe County Clerk Julie Roush said. As of Monday morning, no other Republicans have shown interest in the race.
If selected by the caucus, Wilson will run against incumbent Democrat Wabash Township Trustee Angel Valentín, who has held the office since January 2022. Wabash Township encompasses much of the unincorporated area adjacent to West Lafayette.
The Republican caucus also will vote on Joe Sturm’s request to be a GOP candidate for the Lauramie Township Board, as well as Justice Amos’ request to run for Fairfield Township Board, Roush said.
The Journal & Courier called Republican Chairman Tracy Brown for comment about the caucus and whether any additional candidates expressed interest to him about running. He had not returned the call, prior to publication.
The Tippecanoe County Democratic Party does not have a caucus scheduled, Roush said
A county chairman can appoint a candidate to run without a caucus if there is only one precinct committeeman, Roush said.
Democrat Butch Hammond was appointed to a vacant position to run for Lauramie Township board, Roush said.
Democrat Ken Stacy was appointed to run for Shadeland Town Council, Roush said.
All candidates have until noon July 15 to voluntarily withdraw from the general election ballot, according to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.
Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: County GOP expected to slate three candidates at Thursday caucus
Reporting by Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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By Ron Wilkins, Lafayette Journal & Courier | USA TODAY Network
