Republicans Dominate Local Township Races
KOSCIUSKO — The position of Wayne Township Trustee was one of the most highly-contest local races for this midterm election. But Republican voters came out in droves and successfully elected Jeanie Stackhouse to the office.
Stackhouse earned 6,927 votes, while her Democratic opponent Shari Benyousky earned 2,577.
Stackhouse has lived most of her adult life in Warsaw. She has worked the past eight years as an investigative clerk at the Wayne Township Trustee’s office.
“My plan is to cement my relationships with local organizations to combat the homeless issues we have in Wayne Township,” said Stackhouse in a pre-election interview. “We are very limited in choices for emergency shelter.”
Stackhouse said the biggest issue she has witnessed while working at the trustee’s office is the township’s lack of emergency shelter options.
“Fellowship Missions is a wonderful facility and we are very fortunate to have it in our community; however many times it is filled to capacity,” said Stackhouse. “I plan to work with local organizations to help with this problem. Giving the homeless shelter will hopefully help them make a plan to get back on their feet without having to worry about where they will sleep.”
Benyousky shared the following statement on social media this morning. “Originally, we agreed to run just to put our names on a line and give choices. But, we met so many amazing people … and we found great hope in our community and in running an all-out competitive race. We wake up this morning not feeling sad, but blessed and hopeful that we have the capacity and dedication to have meaningful conversations in our community about change. I wish my opponent Jeanie Stackhouse the best. She has tough challenges ahead.”
Tippecanoe Township and Turkey Creek Township also had contested races for township trustee. Chris Francis, Republican, won the race for Tippecanoe Township Trustee while Julie Close, Republican, won the race for Turkey Creek Township Trustee.
Those elected to local township advisory boards with contested seats are as follows:
Wayne Township Advisory Board
Gordon Nash, Republican
Joshua Spangle, Republican
Bruce A. Woodward, Republican
Clay Township Advisory Board
Donald L. Morris, Republican
Dan Ransbottom, Republican
Daniel Willis, Republican
Etna Township Advisory Board
Joe R. Mooney, Republican
Steven L. Sechrist, Republican
Tony Tribalski, Republican
Jackson Township Advisory Board
Marcia J. Dierks, Republican
Ray P. Fisher, Republican
Jill L. Slater, Republican
Plain Township Advisory Board
Robert W. Bishop, Republican
Craig Charlton, Republican
Larry Kammerer, Republican
Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board
Dennis R. Darr, Republican
John D. Heckaman, Republican
William Dixon, Republican
Van Buren Township Advisory Board
Robert Beer, Republican
Shane M. Bucher, Republican
Stephen Unruh, Republican