The Marshall County Republican Party still needs to conduct a caucus election tonight to fill a vacant county council seat, even though there’s only one candidate for the office. That’s the guidance party chair Dave Holmes got from the state.
The District 1 vacancy was created when Council President Matt Hassel was chosen to fill the remainder of late Sheriff Tom Chamberlin’s term. Before he could be sworn in as sheriff, Hassel had to relinquish his council seat. Bremen City Councilman Heath Thornton is the only candidate who filed to succeed Hassel. The district includes German and Bourbon Townships. Precinct committee representatives will ratify his selection during a brief caucus at the Marshall County Republican Party headquarters.
Thornton will have to resign from the city council in order to serve at the county level. A similar process will be undertaken to choose his replacement. Hassel also had to resign from his job as Bremen Police Chief to take over as sheriff. The city council expects to name his replacement next month.
