MADISON COUNTY — With less than a week before Primary Election Day, Madison County voters still have a lot of options as to where and when to cast their ballots ahead of time.

They can cast their ballot on the first floor of the Madison County Government Center, 16 E. Ninth St, Anderson, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday, April 29; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 30; and 8 a.m. to noon Monday, May 2.

Voters also can make their political choices at any of the eight satellite voting locations in the county, including one at Pendleton Community Public Library, 595 E. Water St. Ramaining hours at these are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Friday, April 29; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 30.

The county switched to vote centers this year, which enables voters to cast their ballot at any of the voting locations in the county regardless of where they live.

On Primary Election Day, there will be 30 vote centers open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Madison County Election Director Mary Retherford said on Tuesday that there have been no problems with the new system.

She said the total ballots cast daily at each of the satellite locations has ranged from about five to 50.

“It’s all new,” she said. “It takes a while for something new to catch on.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, about 1,400 ballots have been cast in person in the county, where there are 89,714 registered voters, she said.

Almost 1,700 mail-in ballots have been sent out, with the number returned not known, she said.

For more details, visit www.madisoncounty.in.gov/government/elections.

Following are contested county races on the ballots:

Madison County Sheriff (Republican)

Three candidates competing

John L. Beeman

Age: 56

Family: Wife Rhonda, sons John and Ethan

Residency: I was born and raised in the Elwood area and currently reside west of Anderson.

Occupation: Retired Deputy U.S. Marshal

Political experience: None

Why are you running for office? After 30 years of federal law enforcement and collaborating with sheriffs, police chiefs and agency leaders and having a vested interest in my home county. I feel I can bring a different perspective to the sheriff’s office and continue to move the department forward. I have built working relationships and collaborations from all across the law enforcement spectrum and will do the same within Madison County to better serve the citizens of the county. One of my goals of public service is to leave things in a better position than when you found it.

Anthony Emery

Age: 52

Family: Wife of 30 years, Stacy; son Remington, daughter Eve

Residency: Anderson, Indiana for past 30 years

Occupation: Indiana State Trooper and Madison County Councilman (At-large)

Political experience: Currently serving in my sixth year as a Madison County Councilman, Council president in 2018 and 2019, current Republican Precinct Committeeman

Why are you running for office? I am running for sheriff because I want to continue to serve Madison County residents. I would like to improve the services provided by the Sheriff’s Department by completing a top-down assessment of the department and realign our resources to meet our goals and the community’s needs. This would include reevaluating the number of officers performing patrol duties resulting in higher police presence and shorter response times to calls. I would implement drug addiction and mental health programs for jail inmates. Drug related crime has skyrocketed in this county which has contributed to the jail overcrowding dilemma we are facing. Providing these services to inmates with substance addictions and mental illness will have a positive effect on the recidivism rates within our county. I would take a community policing approach to our law enforcement initiatives in our county. This would include countywide outreach programs focusing on our elderly and children.

Kimberly S. Stigall

Age: 45

Family: Husband Jeff Stigall (public safety for over 40 years); children Jerry Stigall, Kayla Graza and Kendra Vernon; grandchildren Elias, Kendyl, Caroline, Kenzlee and Avery

Residency: Last five years, Alexandria; prior Anderson and Pendleton (always Madison County)

Occupation: Madison County Sheriff’s Department (over 20 years) Patrol, Animal Control and Serious Bodily Injury and Fatal Crash Team, Public Safety Rescue Diver Supervisor, Community Hospital Security and Protection Plus, Special Needs School Bus driver (20-plus years)

Political experience: First time running for political office

Why are you running for office? We all see that change is needed and I realize that if I do nothing, I am part of the problem! I’m not a politician, but a hard working compassionate officer and citizen that cares about the community and knows the areas that need improvement. I have worked for the Sheriff’s Department for over 20 years in the jail, the courthouse and patrol and I know there is a need to address mental health, drug abuse, school safety, and recruitment and retention of officers. I want to increase the number of officers on the road and jail and be sure the jail is equipped to hold offenders safely and provide mental health treatment. I will work to build relationships with educators, professionals, and doctors to make progress. I am the only Republican sheriff deputy/candidate that has been born, raised and worked in Madison County! We are stronger working together!

Madison County Council

There are four two-way contested races on the Republican ballot.

District 1 (Republican)

Jerry Alexander (incumbent)

Age: 68

Family: Wife Teresa L. Alexander; two adult children (Robert Jason) spouse Tina, who have 11 children; (Angela Kay Alexander Remter) spouse David (four children), two great-grandchildren.

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: East Central Indiana Regional Director U. S. Sen. Mike Braun

Political experience: Currently elected to the Madison County Council and formerly elected Union Township Assessor. I have worked for former Vice President Mike Pence on official staff while he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Why are you running for office? To continue the fiscal progress Madison County is experiencing. Three and a half years ago Madison County was unstable financially with less than $100,000 in the “Rainy Day Fund” and over $19 million in debt. The current council has worked hard to restore fiscal stability. We are expected this year to have more than $5 million in the “Rainy Day Fund” and have cut the county debt by almost 50%. I hope to continue that progress. I want to also be involved in the planning and completion of the proposed new jail project. This will likely be the most significant and costly project in Madison County in years. I have the experience in construction and financial management that it takes to assist in getting this project across the finish line.

Bethany Keller

Age: 29

Family: Husband Timothy; sons Theodore and Victor

Residency: Alexandria

Occupation: Housewife; previous non-profit business experience, including appropriating funds, budgeting and grant writing.

Political experience: Informed citizen; four years leadership in collegiate student government; advocating at the local, state and national levels

Why are you running for office? I started regularly attending county council meetings last year as a way to become more informed about our county. As a Madison County taxpayer, I am dissatisfied by some of the current practices of our council. If elected, I will bring accountability, transparency, professionalism and respect for taxpayers to the county council. My top three immediate priorities are: 1) Fulfilling all duties of the county council, which serves as a check on the Board of Commissioners. I will ensure the council provides strict financial oversight of all projects, especially the new jail project, to ensure projects do not go over budget. 2) Holding all officeholders accountable with how they spend taxpayer money. 3) Safeguarding our tax dollars by only voting for things that directly benefit taxpayers.

District 2 (Republican)

Diana Likens (incumbent)

Age: 50

Family: Husband Wesley (27 years); sons Adam and Josh

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Current County Council Member since June 2021; partner/owner of two small businesses in Madison County; secretary Ascension/St. Vincent Foundation Board; former educator

Political Experience: Madison County Council since June 2021

Why are you running for office? I am running to achieve these goals: Create realistic, conservative budgets while meeting needs of departments and taxpayers; encourage growth of our county by decreasing crime, improving broadband and boosting infrastructure; maintain adequate rainy-day fund for emergency use with no debt; keep taxes at a minimum; be a RESPECTFUL servant leader while working for taxpayers.

Devin T. Norrick

Age: 25

Family: Wife Lilly

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Business owner, Attorney

Political Experience: Precinct Committeeman, involved and helped manage multiple successful county wide campaigns.

Why are you running for office? This county needs new and fresh perspectives and young people to get involved in politics. I’ve been involved in politics since I was a kid and there is no time like the present to get involved. The current county council lacks transparency and accessibility, and I want to change that by getting Madison County live streaming with voters having the ability to interact with the council at each meeting. There is limited public comment and that must change. I’m running against personal interests. It’s time that taxpayers interests be represented in the council. It’s time for change.

District 3 (Republican)

Pete Heuer

Age: 53

Family: Wife Kelli

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Director of Operations – Facilities, Planning and Management, Ball State University

Political Experience: Madison County Council, 2018-20, president in 2020, City of Anderson Deputy Mayor/Board of Public Works chairman, and Community Revitalization Enhancement District president.

Why are you running for office? I sincerely enjoy serving the public. I have extensive knowledge of public finance and infrastructure management from my previous appointed and elected positions. I will lead the county council in responsible budget decisions. I am a fiscal conservative who will always promote the most efficient use of taxpayer money. I will utilize my 17 years of extensive government budgetary expertise and professional infrastructure knowledge to provide common-sense, efficient solutions. I ask for your vote.

Jodi L. Norrick

Age: 55

Family: Husband Scott Norrick; children Vincent and wife Allison (Diaz) Norrick, child Amayah; Preston and wife Selby (Watson) Norrick, child Mia; Devin and wife Lilly (Ratzlaff) Norrick; Alyssa and Jonathan Culp; Quentin

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Office manager for Norrick Law Offices, PC since 2004

Political Experience: I have been on the Edgewood Town Council for the past 19 years. I am a precinct committeeman and have helped on several campaigns.

Why are you running for office? For over a year I have attended the county council meetings and the lack of accountability and transparency is unacceptable. Up until March, the council has not allowed public input. The council is the financial body of the county and should provide checks and balances for the other offices. I have watched certain members approve spending after contracts have been signed and raises have been given. This is not the proper way. All spending should be appropriated prior to any spending or signing of contracts. I promise to begin by reviewing the budgets of each department, meet with department heads to help prepare budgets based on actual spending, eliminate waste and reallocate funds to needed areas. No more approval of items that have not been funded first. It is a priority for the public to have input at all meetings. We must be accountable, transparent and fiscally conservative.

District 4 (Republican)

Rob Steele (incumbent)

Age: 59

Family: Wife Linda; children Lauren (Michael), Rebekah (AJ), Leah, Rachel, Bobby (Autumn) and Ross. Four grandchildren.

Residency: Lapel

Occupation: Senior Staff Engineer at BorgWarner (formally Delco Remy), where I serve as the technical product lead for commercial vehicle alternator product engineering.

Political Experience: I currently serve as the District 4 County Council member and council vice president, County GOP Treasurer, Republican precinct and township chairman. Past experience on the Lapel Town Council and as a Frankton-Lapel Community Schools board member.

Why are you running for office? I want to continue the efforts on the council to highlight how great our county is and what a great place it is to live and work. I will continue to pay down our debt, increase our rainy-day fund, set common sense budgets and manage the budget to provide stability to our county finances. We want to attract business and industry along with a skilled workforce to support growth by being fiscally responsible in providing services to county residents and keeping property taxes low. I want to continue our plan to improve public safety and criminal justice funding to make our communities safer.

Kaele Albert

Age: 30

Family: Husband Doug; children Jack, Parker and Savannah

Residency: Markleville

Occupation: Registered nurse in quality improvement and data.

Political Experience: This is my first run for elected office, although growing up, I did volunteer within the State House and have been involved in several successful campaigns for family members, who have been elected in other Central Indiana counties.

Why am I running for office? My husband and I have really loved raising our children in Madison County. I want to see our local government working for those in this county, not just a few in the county but for all of the residents of this county. By bringing transparency, accountability, and long-term vision and planning goals to Madison County, I believe we can make Madison County a place people want to live and work. As a nurse, I have spent my career listening and helping people and I will continue to do that and lead by example when I am elected to the Madison County Council.

Madison County Commissioners

There’s one contested race on each party ballot.

District 1 (Republican)

Two candidates on the Republican ballot

Kelly Gaskill (incumbent)

Age: 56

Family: Husband Mike; children Josh and Zach Gaskill, Heather Prophet; parents Robert and Linda Thompson; seven grandchildren

Residency: Pendleton

Occupation: Madison County Commissioner

Political Experience: Financial Secretary UAW Local 663 from 2002-2007; Fall Creek Township Assessor from 2006-10; Madison County Treasurer from 2011-18; Madison County Commissioner 2019-present

Why am I running?: In any elected office that I have held, my mission has been to make continuous improvements in the service provided, to reduce the costs of running the office, and to hold myself and those I supervise to the highest ethical standards. As commissioner, I made the office more transparent to taxpayers, reduced costs and implemented ethics reforms in the county purchasing process. If re-elected, I will make further improvements in these areas. Currently, the commissioners’ office is in the process of compiling all previously passed ordinances and publishing them on the county website. Future proposed ordinances and resolutions will also be online for public review. I have also improved financial controls to reduce the possibility for fraud, waste or abuse of taxpayers’ money, improved roads and bridges, and opposed tax increases. I will continue these policies if I’m chosen to serve again.

Olivia Pratt

Age: 27

Family: Parents Bob and Deirdre Fernandez, brother and sister-in-law Cody and Katelyn Pratt

Residency: Pendleton

Occupation: Madison County Circuit Court Clerk

Political Experience: Elected in 2018, I have now served the residents of Madison County for nearly four years and have familiarized myself with the inner workings of county government.

Why are you running for office? I’m running because I believe that the role of a public servant is to actually serve the public. That means that we need to increase transparency and provide more opportunity for citizens to be involved in the decision-making process. The public needs a voice to represent what it is that they want, which is what I strive to do now, and would continue to do moving forward. I would also work closely with our other elected officials and department heads, regardless of political party, to maximize service. I have proven over the last few years that I am willing and able to fight for the citizens of this county to provide the best service possible. I will work tirelessly when facing challenges, just as I have done in my current capacity as clerk.

District 1 (Democratic)

Stephen Gaiser

Age: 58

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Driver/Operator Madison County Highway Department (five years); Supervisor/management ELSA LLC, (about 20 years); Elwood Water Department (10 years)

Political Experience: None, but looking forward to serving the residents of Madison County.

Why are you running for office? To improve the quality of life for all residents of Madison County by working together with all county and community leaders and its residents; Set short term and long term goals and focus on the needs than the wants, and work together to get there. Be more proactive than reactive on issues. And leave a legacy for future leaders to follow. And to have more accountability and transparency. So vote for a change for the future.

Latisha Guinn

Age: 41

Family: Husband Kevin Guinn; children Sasha, Kindra and Zoe

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Realtor

Political Experience: None

Why are you running for office? When we moved to Madison County we immediately fell in love with it. We felt like it was the best kept secret. Originally, we kept to the southern end of the county but I briefly worked for the Department of Children and Family Services in Madison County, where I was privy to learn and work in the entire county. I want to help make this county one of the best in the state. It has the potential. I believe with the combination of my love for people, the vision to see Madison County thrive and my ability to collaborate I can be an effective and productive part of reaching that potential. I’ve lived all over the country, in many different places. My desire is to take what I’ve seen work and integrate that with what the people. I wish to see change and work my hardest to allow God to use me to help bring it to fruition.

Madison County Recorder (Republican)

Two candidates

Angie Abel

Age: 49

Family: Husband Carl Abel; children Kaleigh, Ross and Brandon; grandchildren Braydon, Madison, Jessie, Mia, Milee and Georgie

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Chief Deputy Recorder; previously a private adviser/banking loan officer for 20 years.

Political Experience: Four and a half years in the Recorder’s Office (the last three years as chief deputy); member of Association of Indiana Counties (AIC) attending general conferences and (AIC) Recorder’s Legislative conference. Member of the Indiana Recorder’s Association. Member of the Madison County Women Republicans.

Why are you running for office? I am uniquely qualified for this position. Along with my experience in office, my prior career provided a thorough understanding of the property transfer/recording process through mortgage loans, deeds, refinancing, home equities, transfer via estates, etc. I will continue to fight the occasional cases of property fraud we see by working with other county offices involved in the transfer of land records and coordinating the proper roles and responsibilities of each office. I will provide transparency and accountability as I safeguard the integrity of ALL land records and documents entrusted to my office for preservation. I’ll expand our free recording of veterans’ service records known as DD-214s, which ensures that this vital record is stored securely and is easily retrievable. This record is then only available by request through the Indiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs with proper ID. I will expand the veteran’s discount program for local businesses provided through our office.

Susan Odom

Age: 60

Family: Husband Kent; seven children and a large extended family deeply rooted in Madison County.

Residency: Anderson

Occupation: Deputy Auditor in the Deduction/mapping and transfer department.

Political Experience: I served as Chief Deputy Recorder for eight years and worked for both Republican and Democratic Recorders for 11 years. I’ve served as president of the Brown County Republican Women. I have been a member of the Recorders Association and Association of Indiana Counties (AIC).

Why are you running for office? I’m running because the citizens of Madison County deserve a dedicated, passionate, knowledgeable individual to protect your home and property. I want to establish a proactive property fraud program. The current program is a re-active program, which informs you after it’s already occurred. Which is a civil matter to fight out in the court system. I will provide proper training and education for all deputies in the office as well as establish a welcoming environment to serve all citizens. I will create a collaboration with other County office to provide better service to our citizens. A vote for me is a vote for your protection!