Rudd, Bond and Wert win contested Brown County primary races

Local News X Scott Rudd Andy Bond Laura Wert Republican voters in Brown County decided the county’s three contested races during Tuesday’s Primary Election, May 5, selecting nominees for County Commissioner District 2, County Auditor, and Circuit Court Clerk in what was otherwise a relatively quiet local ballot. In the race for Brown County Commissioner District 2, Republican Scott Rudd defeated incumbent Ron Sanders by a wide margin, receiving 1,215 votes to Sanders’ 461 votes. Rudd currently serves as a county council member after being elected in 2024. If he wins the General Election in November, a Republican caucus will be held to fill the remaining two years of his council term. Rudd said after the win, “I’m incredibly honored and humbled by the overwhelming support from voters across every part of our county. Thank you to everyone who voted, volunteered, hosted signs, donated, made calls, shared posts, and encouraged neighbors to participate. I look forward to continuing discussions and connecting with voters through November.” The Republican race for county auditor saw Andy Vasquez Bond defeat Theresa Cobian by a vote of 931 to 677. Bond currently serves as county treasurer after being elected in 2024. If she wins the General Election, a Republican caucus will be held to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of her term as treasurer. In the Republican contest for circuit court clerk, Laura A. Wert defeated incumbent Pearletta Banks by a vote of 879 to 752. Wert said after the win, “Winning the Primary for county clerk is a tremendous honor. Thank you to the voters, supporters, and volunteers who placed their trust in me. I am committed to serving our county with professionalism, accountability, and respect for every citizen.” Brown County Republican Party Chairman Mark Bowman said after the election, “Tuesday’s Republican Primary Election turnout proves that Republican values are alive and well in Brown County. The Brown County Republican Party thanks the engaged voters who participated in this Primary, and we look forward to carrying this momentum into November’s General Election.” Brown County voters cast 2,733 ballots out of 12,519 registered voters, resulting in a turnout rate of 21.83 percent, according to unofficial election results released Tuesday night after all 10 precincts reported. Republican voters pulled 1,722 ballots, while Democratic voters pulled 1,011 ballots. The county also recorded 926 early votes. Several other countywide Republican candidates ran unopposed and secured nominations Tuesday night, including Brad Stogsdill for sheriff with 1,517 votes, David Fensemeier for coroner with 1,472 votes, and Bev Bay Roberts for assessor with 1,411 votes. State Rep. Dave Hall won the Republican nomination for State Representative District 62 with 1,468 votes, while U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin received 1,441 votes in the Republican primary for Indiana’s Ninth Congressional District. On the Democratic side, Amy Huffman Oliver won the Democratic nomination for State Representative District 62 with 961 votes. In the Democratic primary for U.S. Representative District 9, Brad A. Meyer led the four-candidate field in Brown County with 390 votes, followed by Tim Peck with 237, James H. “Jim” Graham with 207, and Keil L. Roark with 92. Locally, Bill Todd won the Democratic nomination for County Council District 3 with 420 votes. Voters also selected party convention delegates and township board members during the election. A full list of unofficial results is available at www.bcdemocrat.com. Featured Local Savings