Rule Change Won’t Stop New Republicans From Running

A Putnam County Republican Party official said a rules change won’t prevent three local officials from running for re-election under the GOP banner.

In June, Putnam County Trustee Freddy Nelson, Road Supervisor Randy Jones and Register of Deeds Harold Burris all switched from the Democrat party to the Republican party.

Executive committee member Kent Kogar said under the new rules, a Republican could challenge the candidacy of the three men. But looking at the three, their professional life and voting records would override any complaint.

“It would lead you to the conclusion that despite them being historical democrats, their values truly do align with what the Republican party at the state, the local and the national level represents,” Koger said.

The rule change states candidates must have voted in three of the last four statewide Republican primary elections. Those that have not must be “vouched for” meaning a Republican official must state in writing the candidate is a Republican.

Koger said the entire Putnam County Executive Committee is more than willing to vouch for Nelson, Jones and Burris.