Candidates file as ballot deadline looms

VALPARAISO — As Friday’s deadline for filing for the upcoming May primary looms, more candidates for Porter County offices are popping up on the ballot, or announcing their intentions.

Candidates have until noon Friday to file in the Voter Registration Office, and they have until noon Monday to withdraw, if they change their mind.

A rundown of who’s filed in recent days and who’s announced their intentions:

Republican Kyle Yelton announced Wednesday he will run for the District 1 council seat held by fellow Republican Jim Biggs. Biggs announced Wednesday he will seek a second term on the council.

Yelton, a 2006 graduate of Chesterton High School, said the county’s budget challenges can be resolved if all county departments work together to make hard choices.

Biggs said he will “continue to be a conservative fiscal voice” for the county’s taxpayers. Neither has filed. Democrat Don Ensign, president of the Hebron Town Council, filed Wednesday to run for the District 4 seat on the council. Republican Jim Polarek now holds that spot.

Republican Jon Snyder, the county assessor, announced Tuesday he would seek a second term, and filed for election as well.

Snyder said he’s kept several campaign promises, including eliminating an appeals backlog, and allowing taxpayers to file an appeal. He said he has worked closely with other elected officials to ensure tax bills are mailed in a timely fashion.

Republican Jon Miller, who already filed for a second term as county recorder, officially announced his campaign late Tuesday.

He said he has created a centralized public access searching area within his office; upgraded the office computer system, increasing productivity; and implemented e-documents.

Valparaiso Police Chief Michael Brickner has filed to run on the Republican ticket for sheriff. He announced his intention to run in the fall.

Republican Russell G. (Chet) Barone filed to challenge incumbent Karen Conover for the District 3 council seat.