By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

Don Wiesehan

WARSAW – A former Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy has announced plans to run for the southern district county commissioner.

Don Wiesehan Jr., 53, announced this weekend plans to run as a Republican for the county commissioner’s seat currently held by longtime commissioner Bob Conley.

He said he wants to be “the voice of the people” for county employees.

He said he’s heard complaints from county employees.

“Sometimes, they feel like they can’t speak to certain people because of repercussions or they’d be looked down upon,” Wiesehan said. “I want to be their voice so they can speak to someone.”

He said he has a servant’s heart and wants to continue to help the community.

Wiesehan is a Tippecanoe Valley high school graduate who then served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1987 to 1992. In 1992, he took his first job in law enforcement with the Winona Lake Police Department.

He joined the county sheriff’s office in 1995 and retired in 2019.

He currently works with the Parkview Police Department.

He already has a campaign website where he pledges to work for residents, be a voice for positive change and “Work together with other community leaders and organizations for a better tomorrow.”

He said he’s been looking at options and ways to serve the community for the past two years.

Wiesehan is a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County. He’s been a member of the Warsaw Masonic Lodge. Mizpah Shrine Club, member of the Kosciusko County 4-H Horse & Pony Committee and a past President of the Kosciusko County Fair Board.

He’s married to Ann and they have two adult children and a grandchild.

Conley is serving his fourth term as commissioner. He has not announced his plans for 2022, but Wiesehan said he assumes Conley will run again.

Conley represents the southern third of the county, but all county voters will cast ballots in the race.