Heather James files to run for Winona Lake clerk-treasurer at the Kosciusko County Justice Building on Tuesday, Jan. 31. She currently serves Ward 4 on the Winona Lake Town Council. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — A second candidate is running for Winona Lake clerk-treasurer.

Heather James, who currently represents Ward 4 on the Winona Lake Town Council, filed Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 31. She joins current Winona Lake Clerk-Treasurer Laurie Renier in running as a Republican for the position.

James also withdrew her filing to run for a second full council term. She said she wasn’t aware of anyone who wished to file for her council seat.

Filing for the 2023 primary election for Republican and Democratic candidates in Winona Lake, Warsaw and Syracuse ends at noon Friday, Feb. 3.

James shared with InkFreeNews why she’s seeking the new role.

“So actually this is the position that I was interested in for a long time and the opportunity and the timing just didn’t quite seem to line up for me and … after I filed for council I had several people approach me and say, ‘Heather, would you consider running?'” she said.

“I gave it a lot of thought and consideration, and I thought, you know what, I think the timing’s right now and this seems like something I need to do,” she continued.

James also shared what some of her goals would be as clerk-treasurer.

“I just think Winona has a good reputation of being fiscally responsible, providing good public safety, good park programming, and (being) a great place to live and so I want to continue those traditions,” she said. “I think we have good people in place in the leadership roles of those programs and I want to make sure that they have the resources that they need to be able to continue to do their job effectively and make Winona great for all of us.”

“I’ve had a great time being on council and I’ve enjoyed that experience and the opportunities and the changes that I’ve gotten to be a part of and so I just feel like this is the next step in continuing to be a part of some of those things and being able to make a difference,” she said.

James said she’s “a good listener” and open to hearing others’ concerns. She’s resided in Winona Lake since 2008.

James is married to Chad James and they have four children.

“We love living in the community,” she said. “We love the access to the trails and the lakes and feel like it’s a great place to raise our kids … and I want to do my part to help other people feel that way and want to come here.”