ANDERSON, Ind. —
Linda Smith will be stepping into the county recorder’s shoes, succeeding Angela Shelton who resigned last month, until she faces election in 2014.
Madison County Republicans gathered in a caucus made up of 94 precinct committeemen Monday night at the Millcreek Civic Center in Chesterfield to vote.
Smith won the majority with 59 votes in the third round against County Councilman Rick Gardner.
“I’m honored to be serving Madison County in this capacity, and I’ll do it to the best of my ability,” she said.
Each of the candidates were able to select a caucus member to introduce them and given four minutes to speak before the vote.
Smith said there were three qualities needed for the position: leadership, experience and dedication to public service. All three of which she said she’s demonstrated during her 20 years of serving the public in various roles.
She’s currently the Board of County Commissioners office manager and was the Republican nominee for county auditor in last month’s general election, losing to Democrat Jane Lyons.
She begins training today and said she’ll learn everything she can “to do an excellent job at my new job.”
Smith added that she’s looking forward to working with a team of dedicated professionals and that she’s grateful to the precinct committeemen who came out.
Gardner had talked about the difficult budget issues he’s dealt with on the Madison County Council and how he helped pass one with a surplus.
He stressed the importance of the recorder’s role and how it’d require someone to keep accurate records.
After the vote, he congratulated Smith and said he plans to continue on with the council, a role he enjoys.
During his time to speak, retired Anderson city employee Tim Moore talked about the importance of having someone trustworthy and said the vote shouldn’t be a popularity contest.
He withdrew from the race, lending his support to Smith.
“I’m very pleased in the outcome,” Madison County Republican Party chairman Troy Jerrils said. “I thank all the candidates who stepped up and put themselves on the line.”
He said he hopes candidates Gardner, Brittney Farmer, Moore, Jay Stapleton and Nick Vores all remain active in the party.
Shelton resigned last month amid an Indiana State Police investigation into whether she authorized or allowed political campaign activities to be conducted out of her office during work hours.
Her chief deputy, Thomas L. Morgan, was fired. Shelton denied any wrongdoing.
Find Dani Palmer on Facebook and @DaniPalmer_THB on Twitter, or call 640-4847.
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