Three of the four Kosciusko County Republican Party Central Committee officeholders will seek re-election at the GOP’s March 6 reorganization caucus.
The fourth, Vice Chair Marsha McSherry, is stepping down after serving approximately 20 years in that position. She has nominated Kristi Ormsby for vice chair.
Chairman Mike Ragan announced Thursday night that he would run for re-election as the Kosciusko Republican chair. Steve Foster will seek to continue as treasurer, with Austin Rovenstine as the party’s secretary, according to Ragan.
In his announcement, Ragan said he originally was elected as chair on Aug. 3, 2016, to fill the remaining term following the resignation of former Chairman Randall Girod.
“It has been an honor to serve all Kosciusko County Republicans as their chairman, and I have enjoyed it very much,” Ragan said in his statement. “Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had many accomplishments, including very successful and well-attended fish fries, Lincoln Day dinners and our annual Hall of Fame Dinner. Last September, we had our first annual Kosciusko County Republican Trivia Night that was a huge hit by all who attended. Additionally, we had a phenomenal response to our Republican headquarters in downtown Warsaw. The headquarters generated the distribution of thousands of campaign signs and donations that exceeded all expectations. Kosciusko County saw the election of every Republican on our ballot, and the margin of victory for our candidates was among the top in Indiana.”
He continued, “Many compelling and significant issues will be confronting us in the next four years, and I believe my proven leadership and conciliatory style will result in the continued growth and unity in our party.”
Ragan and his wife, DeAnna, reside in Warsaw.
After the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Friday, McSherry, who is the county administrator, explained why she chose not to seek re-election.
“You have a feeling, and I feel like it’s time for me to step down. You don’t want to be one of those people who overstay, so I feel like it’s a good time for me with everything that goes on in life to step down,” she said.
McSherry said she supports Ormsby “wholeheartedly” as the next vice chair.
“I think Kristi brings a lot to the table. I think she can help move the party forward, and bring some fresh ideas. She has a lot of connections that I believe will help do that,” McSherry said.
All Republican Central Committees in Indiana will be up for election in the March 6 caucuses. Republican precinct committeemen and women and vice precinct men and women are eligible to vote in the caucuses. The Indiana Republican reorganization caucus is held every four years.
Letters detailing the reorganization caucus are being mailed this week to the voting members of the caucus, according to Ragan’s release.
