Kent Anderson
Filing for city offices continued Thursday with Republican Kent Anderson announcing his plans to seek the GOP nomination for the Columbus City Council District 5 seat.
The seat is currently held by fellow Republican Tim Shuffett. Shuffett, who is in his third term, said he will not seek re-election and that he feels it’s the right time for someone else to bring a new perspective.
“I think the city’s moving in the right direction,” he said.
According to Anderson’s paperwork, this is his first attempt at public office. He currently runs the Emerging Manufacturing Collaboration Center in Indianapolis. The center’s mission is to “advance Hoosier and national advanced manufacturing technology creation and adoption.”
Anderson also served as director of the Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization from 2005 to 2011 and worked for the Indiana Economic Development Corp. from 2012 to 2016.
“I love the city, and I used to work at (Columbus) City Hall, and I knew Tim Shuffett wasn’t going to run again, so I thought the timing was good,” he said. “And I’m recently retired from the National Guard, so I don’t have possible deployment and all the other stuff hanging over my head, so I’ll be able to put the time into it I would want to.”
He said his priorities include supporting first responders, economic development and infrastructure.
Filings for the city’s 2023 primary elections opened on Wednesday, with three Republicans filing to run for mayor of Columbus: Mary Ferdon, Matt Myers and Milo Smith. Incumbent Republican Mayor Jim Lienhoop has said he will not seek a third term. He attended Ferdon’s campaign announcement in November and has endorsed her candidacy.
Republican Christopher Rutan has filed to run for an at-large council seat, and Republican incumbent Frank Miller, who represents District 4, has filed for re-election in his district.
Councilwoman Grace Kestler (D-at large) announced Monday that she will seek re-election. Republican Josh Burnett also plans to run for council at-large.
This year’s council races will look a little different due to the council’s recent decision to adopt “second class” status for the city of Columbus, which will go into effect in 2024. The transition entails a number of changes to city structure, including the addition of two new city council members.
Indiana’s second class cities each have a legislative body made up of nine members — six members representing six districts and three at-large members. Columbus City Council is currently made up of five district representatives and two at-large.
Columbus’ move to second class will also affect the position of clerk-treasurer, which is currently held by Republican Luann Welmer. Indiana Code specifies that while third class cities, such as Columbus, elect a clerk-treasurer, second class cities elect a clerk. Both positions fill the role of city clerk; however, the clerk-treasurer also serves as the city’s fiscal officer. In a second class city, the fiscal officer is a city controller appointed by the mayor.
Filings are completed in person at the Bartholomew County Clerk’s office at the courthouse. The deadline to file for the primary is Feb. 3, and the deadline to withdraw as a candidate is Feb. 10.
