Kosciusko County Coroner Tony Ciriello smiles while addressing supporters Thursday night at his campaign kickoff for the District 3 County Council seat. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Tony Ciriello has a pile of public service experience and he didn’t wait long to reference it in his official campaign kickoff Thursday night, Oct. 21, in Warsaw.

Ciriello, who is serving his second term as Kosciusko County Coroner, told a crowd at the American Legion Post 49 that he wants to take that next step and run for the District 3 County Council seat.

District 3 includes Wayne Township,Warsaw and Winona Lake and is currently represented by Ernie Wiggins who has announced he will not seek re-election and attended the event.

Wiggins did not speak or endorse Ciriello at the event, but he was joined by a large contingent of longtime Republican city and county officeholders, as well as State Sen. Ryan Mishler, former State Rep. Dave Wolkins and Republican County Chair Mike Ragan.

Ciriello has been involved in local public service since he worked as an arson investigator for the state fire marshal back in the mid-’80s. He was a deputy with the county sheriff’s office for 18 years before serving as Syracuse Police Chief for 10 years.

Ciriello will face fellow Republican Scott Clay in the 2022 Republican primary, and others could still join the race before the filing period deadline arrives in early February.

Clay, 24, has begun campaigning but has not had an official kickoff.

Ciriello, 61, said he’s met Clay and likes him, but has his concerns.

“He has no experience in county government. No kind of government experience at all,” he said.

Comparatively, Ciriello said he’s worked a lot with county council over the years and has attended many county council meetings in his role as coroner.

“I believe in this race, experience matters,” he added.

Ciriello said he talked with Wiggins earlier this year and the subject of re-election came up. Wiggins eventually said he would not run again.

Ciriello said he then informed Wiggins, a former mayor of Warsaw, that he’d like to run for the seat. “Ernie said, ‘Tony, I hope you would, and I thank you for that, Tony,'” said Ciriello.

Mishler introduced Ciriello and said he got to know him while Ciriello served as police chief. The friendship continued over the years.

“I was always impressed with Tony and how he interacted with us in the statehouse and worked hard,” said Mishler.

Mishler pointed out that he hired Ciriello earlier this year to work at his funeral home, Mishler Funeral Home.

“He’s been a good friend and a good employee, and I’m impressed with the things he’s done,” Mishler said. “He would be a great asset to this community.”

Ciriello cast himself as a fiscal conservative and said he’s willing to cast difficult, unpopular votes if needed.

Asked about county employee salaries, Ciriello said he thinks salaries with the county department are competitive with other nearby departments.

The coroner’s term expires at the end of 2023 and Ciriello said he would have to resign if elected to the council.

The primary election day is May 3. The general election falls on Nov. 8.

Many local Republican leaders turned out for the campaign event at the American Legion Post 49. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

Tony Ciriello (L) talks with Warsaw City Councilman Michael Klondaris Thursday night as Al Disbro moves into position for a photo. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.