Porter County Council President Mike Brickner came in third and held onto his chance to advance to the general election in the county Republican primary at-large race by a slim margin of just 1% over the votes for Pine Township Board Member Nate Uldricks.
Incumbent Andy Bozak led with a preliminary 22% of the vote and Valparaiso High School teacher Michelle Harris took second place with 19%. Nicole Baker and Dawn Miller trailed behind Uldricks with 13% and 11% respectively.
Results will be certified by the Porter County Election Board on May 17. Bozak, who’s acknowledged criticism that he’s too nice said, “It worked out for once.” He and his 16-year-old son Ayden, who acted as his campaign manager, spent 12 hours Tuesday campaigning to the point of sunburn.
“It was super exciting to see that people see my actions that I’m taking and seem to like it,” Bozak said.
He would like to maintain the county’s low tax rate. “Let’s not kick people while they’re already down,” he said of the current economic climate. “Me personally, I’m trying to do everything that I can to avoid that.”
Harris plans to take a week off and then throw herself into the fall campaign with “lots of parades and door-knocking.” Her 12 years as a teacher gives her an edge in bringing people together, she thinks.
“I think I have a pretty good pulse,” on the variety of lawmakers and constituents. “I do not believe you create inclusion by being divisive,” she said. “I want to contribute to our community in a positive manner.”
“I’m really thankful for all the support I got,” she said. “It’s humbling. I’m looking forward to serving all the voters.”
Brickner maintains some hard decisions will need to be made by the council in the near future.
“We’re going to have to look really closely with our general fund not being able to supplement all the needs of the county,” he said. “I think some of my colleagues that are on the council are more concerned about the popular decision and it’s not about popularity.”
The former Valparaiso Police chief also said Sheriff Jeff Balon needs support “not only to hire people, but to retain.”
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
