Costas might run for mayor again
Former top Valpo official to make ‘announcement’
Since word began to surface on Nov. 23 that Valparaiso Mayor Matt Murphy wasn’t going to seek a second term, a component buzz also made its way around the city:
Former Mayor Jon Costas was going to seek the post another time after a four-year absence.
Wednesday, Costas, a Republican, confirmed that he is making, per the invitations he’s been sending out, “a special announcement concerning the future of Valparaiso” the evening of Dec. 8.
That is the date that Porter County Republican Party Chair Michael Simpson has said his party would make specific announcements about Valparaiso’s mayoral race. Simpson declined to comment on Costas’ announcement, noting it’s not his event.
Costas said he is reserving comments for that evening at LePeep on the city’s north side, which he owns with his son Evan, who is on the City Council.
Murphy, also a Republican, announced he would not seek a second term as mayor next year because of a new job opportunity with Urschel Laboratories but does plan on running for City Council.
“Coming to this decision was very difficult for me, my wife Polly and my family,” Murphy said in his announcement. “I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as the 27th mayor of Valparaiso.”
Murphy has said he will finish out his term through the end of next year. His family’s small business, Jifco Products in Valparaiso, was acquired by Urschel in early 2022, he said, adding he “was offered a professional opportunity that will require my daily presence and 100% of my time at Urschel headquarters in Chesterton.”
Murphy, 49, previously represented District 3 on the City Council and was elected as mayor after
Costas chose not to seek a fifth term in office. The
District 3 seat on the council is now held by Republican Casey Schmidt, who is the council president.
Murphy served one year on the council before he ran for mayor and previously served as the city’s economic development director, among other roles in the city.
The Republican Party will present a full slate of candidates for next year’s municipal elections throughout the county, Simpson has said.
Republican John Cannon, a former member of the Portage City Council and the city’s one-time interim mayor, will announce his candidacy as mayor of that city on Friday.