Noon Tuesday was the deadline for candidates to file for municipal elections. Montgomery County voters will be asked to vote depending on each town’s slate of candidates.
For towns with a population below 3,500, and if all the candidates are from the same party, a town convention will be held. Only Wingate will have a convention.
The convention is slated for 6 p.m. Aug. 15 at New Hope Chapel. There are five Republican candidates running for three available seats. The candidates are Kyle J. Campbell, Joe Carter, Christine Keen, Andrew Lorenze and Justin Warren.
Seven candidates are vying for three seats on the Ladoga Town Council. Because the candidates are either Republican, Democrat or Independent, a general election will take place. The election will be Nov. 7. Voters will be able to cast votes in Ladoga and Crawfordsville vote centers.
Ladoga Town Council candidates are Democrat Tricia Garcia and Independents Ronnie Brown and Mike Hubble. Republicans who filed are Kara Bergdoll, Layton Malone, Lester Miles and Gina Scott. Incumbents are Garcia, Hubble and Miles.
Several town council incumbents throughout Montgomery County did not file for re-election. Indiana law allows a present seat holder to “roll in” to their seat after the election. Darlington and Waynetown does not have a full slate of candidates to fill the five seats on the two town councils.
In Waynetown, Brian Fletcher and Aaron Benge did not file for re-election. Montgomery County Clerk Karyn Douglas said a decision on which of the two men will roll into the seat needs to be made. If neither candidate wants to serve another four-year term, Montgomery County GOP Chairman Jim Johnson will appoint someone to fill the open seat at the beginning of 2024.
In Darlington, incumbents Nicole Parker, Marilyn Cohee and Teresa Sutherlin filed for re-election. Council member Nick Riddell has not officially resigned, so he could roll into the seat. Council member Noelle Suiter has turned in a resignation letter.
In New Market, council members Bion Ruggles and Joe Dodds filed for re-election, however a third seat will need to be filled.
Crawfordsville will have a general election in November. There are eight candidates vying for seven city council seats. All incumbent council members filed for re-election. Former city councilman Scott Molin also filed, forcing the general election.
Mayor Todd Barton is not being challenged and will serve another term. Douglas will be moving from the courthouse position to the City Building as the new city clerk-treasurer since she too is not challenged.
Douglas said only voters residing in town limits and city limits are allowed to vote in this upcoming election. County residents not living in town or city boundaries will not participate in an election this year.
