Staff Report

WARSAW – A longtime Kosciusko County Courthouse employee has announced plans to run for County Auditor on the Republican ballot in 2022.

Rhonda Helser

County Treasurer Rhonda Helser, who has been employed with the county for 19 years, announced her intentions Wednesday, Nov. 3, with a prepared statement.

“I feel that I am the best candidate for the position of County Auditor because of my many years of dedicated service and accomplishments for this county,” she said.

Incumbent County Auditor Michelle Puckett is in her second term and is term-limited.

Helser is the first to announce an interest in being auditor. Election filing begins after the first of the year.

As treasurer, Helser is also term-limited. If she wins in the fall 2022 election, the Republican Party would appoint her replacement to fill in the final year.

She began working in the Treasurer’s Office in 2003-2005 and then worked in the Auditor’s Office from 2006-2007.

“After a position was vacated due to illness, I was asked to return to the Treasurer’s Office by then Treasurer Kent Adams in October 2007, where I have remained,” she said.

In 2012, she was appointed as Chief Deputy Treasurer by Sue Ann Mitchell and then successfully ran for Treasurer in 2016. She won a second term in 2020.

She previously worked 25 years in her father’s trucking company as the office supervisor, performing tasks such as accounts payable, receivable and payroll.

“I have the required strengths, skills and dedication that it takes to run the office of County Auditor,” Helser said. “I pride myself as being a working team player and have been given the encouragement of others to seek this position.”

She recently received the 2021 Woman of the Year award by the Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee during the Republican Hall of Fame dinner.

“I have good communications with the County Council and County Commissioner members, which is helpful from attending most of the monthly meetings and keeping up with current issues that affect our county,” said Helser.

She’s also a leader in the Republican Women’s club and served as President for two years. 

Helser also participates in the Indiana Association of Indiana Counties’ continuing education classes and stays current with state legislation through the Indiana County Treasurer’s Association. 

A native of Kosciusko County, she and her husband, Troy, have three children and five grandchildren.

“I am a graduate of Warsaw Community High School and am very blessed for being able to serve my community,” she said.