Party Official - County
County
CORE PURPOSE:
Grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our own form of government (Ind.)
Quick Facts
Holder(s):
Don Westerhouse - Democrat
Jackie Horvath - Republican
Term:
Varies
Method:
Elected
Level:
County
Oath Administered By:
Not applicable
Role Overview
Organizes local party activities, recruits candidates, manages voter outreach, and supports elections for the party in the county.
Constitutional Mandate:
Supports democratic participation (U.S. Const. Art. I; Ind. Const. Art. 2).
Key Competencies:
Leadership, political strategy, and community engagement.
Potential Weaknesses:
• Ethical Misconduct or Conflicts: Violations like misuse of funds or favoritism in caucuses, leading to reprimands or legal issues, as seen in 2025 GOP chair controversies.
• Leadership Instability: Frequent turnover (e.g., 2025 Democratic chair resignation), disrupting organization and GOTV efforts.
• Poor Engagement: Ineffective outreach reducing voter turnout in rural townships.
• Divisive Practices: Internal conflicts causing party splits, weakening local representation.
• Compliance Failures: Errors in election roles leading to challenges or invalidations.