Newly-elected Kosciusko County Republican Party officers, from left, are Treasurer Steve Foster, Secretary Austin Rovenstine, Chairman Mike Ragan and Vice Chairwoman Kristi Ormsby. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW – Kosciusko County Republicans reorganized Saturday, March 6, with one notable change in leadership.

Precinct committee members re-elected Chairman Mike Ragan to another four-year term during a meeting at the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

Republicans also retained Austin Rovenstine as party secretary and Steve Foster as treasurer.

The only change involved the promotion of Kristi Ormsby, who was elected vice-chair, replacing Marsha McSherry, who held the role for more than two decades.

McSherry endorsed Ormsby ahead of time and Ormsby’s election – as were others – came without any dissent.

Local Republicans begin a new era as one of the biggest conservative counties in an equally conservative state of Indiana.

Republicans did not lose a single local race in 2020 in a year that was challenging for candidates, the party itself and the election officials because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ragan has worked to keep the GOP office across from the county courthouse open year-round, even during an off-year for elections.

Ragan, who had a serious bout with the COVID-19 last year, thanked his colleagues for their support and said his goal is to do more of the same – “Trying to get more young people involved and I’d like to see the women’s group grow more. They’ve been doing a great job.” 

Ormsby has previously managed successful re-election campaigns for then-State Rep. Dave Wolkins of Warsaw and Sen Ryan Mishler of Bremen.

She sees her role as providing support to the chair and making sure the county party is as strong as possible.

“I had the opportunity to work with two great politicians. I’ve learned from them and in working on their campaigns, I’ve learned a lot about the people in the county,” Ormsby said.

She said she’d like to see the party work to be more welcoming.