Washington City Government will have a totally new look come January 2020. The new decade will usher in a new mayor and there will be at least four new city council members.
At the top of the ballot is today’s election is the Mayor’s race as current Mayor Joe Wellman has decided to retire fully and is not seeking re-election. The Republican Candidate is Diana Snyder who is currently the Daviess County Community Corrections Director. The Democrat candidate is Washington Fire Chief Dave Rhoads. He has been chief for over a dozen years years.
For City Clerk Treasurer, current officer hold Beth McGookey, a Republican is being challenged by Democrat Lauri Jansen.
There are four people running for two City Council at Large seats. Current Republican Incumbent David Dahl is seeking re-election while current Democrat incumbant Blake Chambers is not running again. Dahl and fellow Republican Ken Showalter are on the ballot along with Democrats Ernie Evans and Ron Critchlow. Voters will vote for 2 of the 4 and the top two will win a seat.
In Washington City Council District 1, current independent Mike Singleton is not seeking re-election. Republican Darin Lunsford is running unopposed. Also running unopposed is Republican Incumbent Allen Brown in District 2. Republican Thom Gress is running unopposed for Council District 3. That seat is currently held by Jerry Sidebottom who did not seek re-election to run for Mayor in the May primary. For City Council District 4, Democrat Doug Campton is unopposed. For Council District 5 current Electric Department Superintendent, Republican Randy Emmons is unopposed. He won the May primary over current District 5 council member Seairra Decker.
Over 7,000 registered voters can vote for the above races. Meanwhile, 11,000 registered voters can vote for or against the referendum on the Washington Community School Corporations proposed new middle school. It is a $38 project that officials say would be paid for partially through a property tax increase of 48 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
VINCENNES ELECTION
In the city of Vincennes, voters have several races of interest.
Voters there will be choosing a new Clerk/Treasurer. Current clerk Sharon Duke is not running again. Republican Cathy Lane and Democrat Angela Herron are vying for that office.
City Council District 1 in Vincennes has Republican Brian Grove facing Democrat Will Drews.
In Council District 2 Democrat Incumbent Traci Breece is challenged by Republlican Ed Gornall.
In District 4, Democrat Incumbant Dan Ravellette faces Republican Michelle James.
In District 5 in Vincennes Republican Ryan Lough faces Democrat Vicki Reeves.
Four people are running for two Vincennes City Council At-Large seats. Democrats Duane Chattin and Shirley Rose who’ve been on the council for years are challenged by Republicans Marc McNeece and Tim Salters.
PETERSBURG ELECTION
In Petersburg there is only one contested race and that is for City Council District 4 with Republican Tricia Claridge and Democrat Scott Jenkins.