Mishawaka council member Hazen seeks Fleming's commissioner's seat. Appears the only one.
So far, Mishawaka city council member Tony Hazen appears to be the only candidate who’s seeking to fill out the remaining year of St. Joseph County Commissioner Deb Fleming’s term.
As The Tribune has reported, Fleming will resign Jan. 31 because of health concerns. Precinct members of the county’s Republican Party, of which she’s a member, will hold a caucus on Jan. 20 to elect her replacement.
Nov. 22, 2023: County Commissioner Fleming to resign Jan. 31 for health issue, family time
And the deadline for Republican candidates to seek her seat in the caucus is 10 a.m. Jan. 17, which, by state law, is 72 hours before the caucus, county GOP Chairman Tyler Gillean said.
He said Hazen is the only candidate he’s aware of so far. Hazen, a former police chief, was just re-elected to his 3rd District seat on the Mishawaka Common Council in 2023’s elections and began his new term Jan. 1. His wife, fellow Republican Lou Ann Hazen, had worked as an executive assistant to Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood and, after leaving that job, ran unsuccessfully last year for city clerk.
2023 election results: Mishawaka Democrats claim 7-2 council edge; Republicans blame their own mayor for losses
Those seeking Fleming’s commissioner seat must file Indiana form CEB-5, which declares candidacy for a political office that will be filled by a caucus. Gillean said the form must be signed and notorized. The physical form must be filed at the county clerk’s office (the County-City Building and county courthouses were closed Tuesday because of a lack of heat). Meanwhile, candidates can also email that form to Gillean at Tgillean@alumni.iu.edu.
Fleming’s term runs until Dec. 31, 2024. Apart from this week’s GOP caucus, the primary and fall elections this year will be held for the commissioner’s seat. Her seat covers District 3, which includes Liberty, Lincoln, Madison and Union townships and portions of Centre, Clay, Penn and Portage townships.
Email Tribune reporter Joseph Dits at jdits@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Tony Hazen seeks Deb Fleming county commissioner seat in GOP caucus
