Three running in Republican primary for Boone County Council District 3

Three candidates are running for the District 3 Boone County Council seat in the May 5 Republican primary. They are incumbent District 3 Councilor Kevin Van Horn and challengers James Davis and Chris Litscher. Litscher and Van Horn answered the following questions from Current. Davis did not return Current’s survey. Why are you running for this office? Litscher Litscher: I believe you need clear objectives and proven processes to achieve an optimal outcome. I come from the management consulting world where every expenditure needed to be justifiable and beneficial. When you are asking every citizen in the county for money, you should be doing that as a last resort. Van Horn: I’m running for county council to continue serving our community with integrity and dedication. I want to support responsible growth, protect taxpayer dollars and strengthen opportunities for families and future generations. My experience, commitment and passion for Boone County drive me to keep working for the people I proudly represent. What sets you apart from your opponents? Litscher: I come from the business world where continuous improvement and driving costs were critical to the survival of a company. My opponent was the deciding vote on increasing LIT tax in 2022. This was the second increase, coming during inflation and the pandemic which put every household budget under pressure. Van Horn Van Horn: What sets me apart is my proven record of service, real-world experience and deep roots in Boone County. I listen, lead with integrity and make thoughtful, fiscally responsible decisions. I don’t just talk about results — I deliver them. My commitment isn’t temporary; it’s a lifelong dedication to serving our community well. What are your top three campaign issues? Litscher: Treat county government as a business, ask every office to reduce costs, not services. Work to bring in new businesses to help fund the expansion of schools and infrastructure and not put tax burden on property owners. Keep Boone County affordable so families are not priced out due to taxes. Van Horn: My top three campaign issues are responsible growth, fiscal responsibility and strong community services. I will work to manage development wisely, protect taxpayer dollars and ensure services like public safety and infrastructure remain strong. My focus is keeping Boone County a great place to live, work and raising a family. What do you most want voters to know about you? Litscher: I was a reserve police officer for 25 years. I always wanted to use my knowledge but was never able to run for office. I have visual acuity challenge. Latest exams are not promising. I want what’s best for people, but I cannot ensure I could provide that for them. Van Horn: I want voters to know I am committed to serving Boone County with integrity, transparency and dedication. I value listening, working hard and making decisions benefiting our entire community. My goal is to represent residents with fairness and respect while protecting our future and preserving what makes our county special. Amidst new development, how will you maintain a low tax burden for long-time Boone County residents? Litscher: Only raise taxes as a last resort, if need be, make every aspect of county operations reduce expenditures. Don’t give long-term special tax concessions to businesses to have them locate here. The county has significant advantages over most other areas with open land, major highways and centrally located. Van Horn: Amid growth, I will prioritize fiscal discipline, carefully evaluate spending and ensure new development pays its share through impact fees and smart planning. By broadening the tax base, encouraging responsible growth, and protecting existing homeowners, we can maintain low taxes while still investing in essential services and infrastructure. Related posts: No related posts. Share. Tumblr