Porter County’s Republican officials take oath of office after party sweep of November elections

There were no speeches or big crowds, just one bright and shiny pink tuxedo coat to punctuate the swearing-in of Porter County’s Republican officials on New Year’s morning. The party swept county elections in November with the exception of long-standing and uncontested Porter County Surveyor and Democrat Kevin Breitzke.

Chris Hendron, elected by caucus as the new Porter Township Trustee to replace former trustee Ed Morales now serving as county commissioner, was up first. He was sworn in by Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer.

“We’re going to wing it,” Clymer said with a smile as they assembled themselves in front of the dais in the county commissioners chamber.

Next up was Treasurer Jimmy Albarran who was joined by his wife Wanda holding the family bible.

Councilwoman-At-Large Michelle Harris sported a smile as bright as her magenta jacket as she was sworn in and shared a hug with Clymer. Incumbents Mike Brickner, currently serving as council president, and Andy Bozak won the other two at-large seats in November, but were not in attendance. They can be sworn in by any fellow county official before their first meeting of the year.

Finally, Porter County Commissioner Ed Morales, who takes over the South District held for the past 12 years by Democrat Laura Blaney, who did not seek reelection, was sworn in by Porter Superior Court Judge Michael Drenth.

Voters swept in the Republican Party because they wanted change and fiscal conservatism, said Michael Simpson, chair of the county’s Republican Party. “Two top things that upset people is the economy, money, inflation, whatever you want to call it,” and “immigration we bring in to public safety. People want to be safe,” he said.

“We have a lot of constituents to take care of,” he added, citing Porter County as one of the 10 largest in the state. “They feel our candidates offered them the best message.”

For Hendron, a mortgage loan officer who has served on the Porter Township Board for the past 12 years, “our main thing is fire protection.” He said he’s also watching the county’s ongoing ambulance contract negotiations with Northwest Health.

Albarran, who’s been serving as the county’s chief deputy treasurer for the past nine years, has lots of plans to make operations in the treasurer’s office more efficient and cost-effective.

Harris, an English and digital media teacher at Valparaiso High School, said appointments to the county’s various boards are of particular concern to constituents right now. She’s also pleased to see the county’s website has begun improvements to make it more user-friendly and she’ll be pushing for the three-, five-, and 10-year plans she campaigned on.

“Going forward, it will just be all the issues we campaigned on,” Morales agreed, adding that some forces bearing down on county government from Indianapolis remain to be felt. “We have a new governor. We don’t know what direction they’re going to go in with these tax caps.”

Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.