News Release

WAKARUSA — Scott Weldy, a lifetime Wakarusa resident and a Democrat, announces his candidacy for Wakarusa Town Council, Ward 2.

Scott Weldy

This is the first time that a Democrat has run for municipal office in Wakarusa in over a decade, thus triggering a town election in November 2023. Weldy is a member of ACT Nappanee-Wakarusa, a club for Democrat, Independent and Progressive voters. ACT seeks to build coalition among all residents and is inclusive in welcoming members of all ages, races and gender choice; ACT stands for “Advancing Community Together.”

“In Wakarusa, we can’t keep re-living the past governmentally; we must move forward and find ways to entice more people to move here,” Weldy says. “Our future as a thriving town is to expand and diversify our population and add jobs and other opportunities for everyone. Wakarusa should be able to embrace both the advantages of small town life as well as becoming a progressive and welcoming community.”

As head of Weldy Insurance, a local family-owned business founded in the 1970s, Weldy is proud that three generations of Weldys have helped Wakarusa residents with their home and auto insurance needs. “My family has been a part of this community for over one hundred years,” he says. “I understand the everyday finances of our citizens and the importance of a fair, strong and stable local government to help families meet their current and future goals.”

The Weldy family traces its roots in Wakarusa back to the 1800s. Weldy graduated from NorthWood High School in 1993 and Taylor University, Upland, in 1997. A serious interest in photography led him to teach photography classes, give private lessons and work in the photography business for many years. He was the president and founding member of the Goshen Photographers Guild. He transitioned full time to the insurance business more than 20 years ago, in 2002.

Weldy’s community involvement goes beyond the usual boosterism and support of school sports and the various clubs in which his two children participated. He was instrumental in obtaining a grant for Wakarusa’s Little Free Library Impact program in 2021. The Free Library is located at the Wakarusa Historical Museum.

Weldy has been married for 25 years to wife Susannah and has two children, Christopher, age 20 and Claire, age 17. Christopher graduated from the WaNee Public School system in 2021, and Claire is graduating in spring 2023.