Republican Voters In Pierceton, Silver Lake Finalize Fall Ballot
PIERCETON — Republicans in the towns of Pierceton and Silver Lake firmed up their fall ballots Tuesday night, Aug. 20, with separate town conventions.
In Pierceton, Myra Mast won 31 votes in a second ballot against incumbent clerk-treasurer Jerry Kreger, who received 17 votes.
Mast and Kreger were joined by a third candidate, Pamela Baker, in the first round. Mast and Kreger advanced to a second ballot after none of the three could muster a clear majority of votes.
Mast stressed character and integrity in her short stump speech. Kreger, who served 16 years on town council before being elected clerk-treasurer four years ago, said he had the knowledge and experience for the job. Baker pointed out her work experience in finances.
Mast will face Libertarian Party candidate Brian Hartman on Nov. 5. Republicans are unopposed in the council race.
In Silver Lake, it only took one ballot to determine the three winners in a field of five vying for town council.
The top three vote-getters were incumbent Chad Miner (20 votes), Nichole Taylor (14 votes), and Hugh Murfin (12 votes). Just short of victory were incumbent Phil Shalley and Jerry Wagner, both of whom received 11 votes, according to Jean Weller, who chaired the convention.
Miner, Taylor and Shalley all briefly spoke before votes were cast. The other two did not attend, Weller said.
The town conventions were needed after the towns chose not to have a primary election and ended up having numerous Republicans file for office. State election law limits each political party to one candidate for clerk-treasurer and three candidates for council on the fall ballot.