Kosciusko County Republicans held a re-organization meeting this morning. Randy Girod, seated, was elected to his second consecutive term as party chairman. Also elected was Steve Foster, treasurer; Christy Polk, secretary; and Marsha McSherry, vice chair. (Photo by Stacey Page)

Randall Girod will keep his title as chairman of the Kosciusko County Republican Party.

A total of 134 precinct committee men and women were eligible to cast ballots today during the Republican party’s re-organization meeting. Officials say 111 votes were cast. Girod has served as the chairman for the last four years and was opposed today by Mike Ragan.

In his campaign speech, Girod said, “I have worked diligently to welcome, nurture and encourage people to attend our Republican events … frankly, it’s an ongoing, everyday event for a chairman and I think for the future and vitality of our Republican party it takes more than one term to accomplish that.”

Ragan spoke about his plan to hold monthly meetings of the Republican party to encourage greater participation and his goal to maintain a website providing information for upcoming events and create a monthly newsletter to engage even more residents.

In the end, former Republican Party Chairman Aaron Rovenstine, with results in hand, thanked both Girod and Ragan for “the civility in which they both ran their campaigns.” He then announced that voter counters Kent Adams and John Elliott confirmed the results showing the majority of the 132 votes were for Girod.

Following the vote, Girod stood before the packed commissioners room of the courthouse and took nominations for vice chair, which went to Marsha McSherry; secretary, Christy Polk; and treasurer, Steve Foster.

A Republican Party caucus will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, to name a replacement for Kosciusko County Circuit Court Clerk Jason McSherry, who has resigned the position. Ann Torpy and Christopher Sanders are the only two candidates to submit their intent.

Interested eligible candidates for the clerk’s position may submit their Declaration of Candidacy with Girod no later than 7 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Forms are available from the Kosciusko County Clerk’s office, 121 N. Lake St., Warsaw.