While the upcoming Warsaw City Council election (there are four with contested races) will be the main attraction at the ballot box for many on Nov. 5, lots of people at Wednesday’s GOP fish fry in Warsaw already seem focused on contests in 2020.

The following are a few enticing tidbits to consider:

• Karin McGrath has announced plans to run for judge of Kosciusko Superior Court III where longterm Judge Joe Sutton is expected to retire. She worked as a deputy prosecutor for about seven years before joining Rockhill Pinnick law firm in Warsaw. As was the case with the newly established Superior Court, I’m told there will be numerous candidates stepping up to run for Superior III. More names could surface within weeks. If McGrath would be elected, she would become the first female judge in Kosciusko County.

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  State Rep. Curt Nisly shares a light moment with Superior Court I Judge David Cates Wednesday night at the GOP fish fry in Warsaw. Cates’ wife, County Councilwoman Kim Cates, ran unsuccessfully against Nisly last year. InkFreeNews Photo by Dan Spalding.

  It appears voters in the State House District 18 could see a primary rematch between incumbent Dave Wolkins and Russ Reahard, but that likely depends on Wolkins, who has had some health issues in recent years. Wolkins said the likelihood of him running is probably 50-50 right now. He said he will make a decision in December. Reahard, meanwhile, said he’s planning on running again and continues to make life at conception a leading issue. He announced his plans at the recent Right To Life banquet in Winona Lake. “We have to stand up for life. As citizens and as Christians, it’s our obligation. It’s as important an issue as slavery was 150 years ago,” he said.

• District 22 State Rep. Curt Nisly said Wednesday he plans to seek re-election in 2020. If so, he will likely face at least one primary challenger. Bill Dixon, who stayed busy in the serving line Wednesday, announced his plans to run earlier in the week. Democrat Paul Heimbach has also announced plans to run.

• Dr. Chris Magiera, of Warsaw, was in full campaign mode Wednesday, greeting visitors and distributing copies of the US Constitution. Magiera was wearing a white doctor’s jacket and had numerous supporters wearing red campaign shirts. He will be challenging Third District Rep. Jim Banks in next year’s Republican primary. “Ninety percent-plus of what’s wrong with this country is due to the Congress and other people in the government not following the Constitution,” he said. If you are wondering how to pronounce his name, it’s Ma-gara.

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COURTROOM CONTROVERSY — As you may recall, last week Poli (Sigh) reported that Fulton County court officials are facing a dilemma in preparation for the Oct. 15 trial of Alyssa Shepherd, who is accused of hitting and killing three children with her vehicle at a bus stop north of Rochester last year. The county’s Superior courtroom is quite small and officials might end up limiting public access to the trial. We’re still waiting to see how the court will accommodate what is expected to be a large media interest. Supporters of the victims in the tragedy are not happy with plans to use the small courtroom and contend there is a larger room available. You can learn more about their concerns by going to the MAX Strong Facebook page where the person who runs the page contends it is an attempt to limit publicity.

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VOTER REGISTRATION — Deadline to register to vote in the fall election is Monday, Oct. 7.

Dan Spalding is the editor of InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at (574) 855-7612.