Sean Webster
A Democratic candidate has entered the Columbus mayoral race but there are questions about whether he meets the residency requirement.
Sean Webster, 34, filed his declaration of candidacy Monday morning. However, officials from the City of Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department and the county surveyor’s office told The Republic his residential address is not within the Columbus’s city limits. According to the county’s GIS system, Webster lives in Wayne Township.
Columbus is a third class city but is set to officially become a second class city in 2024. Per Indiana Code 3-8-1-26, a candidate running for mayor of a second or third class city must live in the city for at least a year before the election.
Bartholomew County Clerk Shari Lentz said that while Webster’s address is not within city limits, her department is instructed by the state to accept all filings.
“We are not the candidate police, is what they always tell us,” she said. “So we are to accept all filings. However, if someone would file and they do not live in the city or for various reasons is ineligible, that would be up for a challenge by someone or a party that lives in the district where the person would be on the ballot.”
Filings are completed in person at the Bartholomew County Clerk’s office at the courthouse. The deadline to file for the primary is Friday, and the deadline to withdraw as a candidate is Feb. 10. Per the state of Indiana’s 2023 candidate guide, Feb. 10 is also the deadline to file a challenge against a municipal primary election candidate.
Webster is the first Democrat to enter the mayoral race. Republicans Mary Ferdon and Milo Smith have filed to run. Incumbent Republican Mayor Jim Lienhoop, who is not seeking a third term, has endorsed Ferdon. Former Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers, a fellow Republican, previously filed his candidacy but has said he will withdraw it.
Webster has not run for public office before. He and his wife, Sara, own Midwest Trading Card Game Co. in Columbus and Monon Beverage Brokers in Indianapolis. They also run a nonprofit called the Indy Independent Relief Fund.
When asked how long he’s lived in Columbus, Webster said he’s been coming to the city for about a year and a half, with his residence officially switching over in October. It was his understanding from previous interactions with zoning officials that he was a city resident; however, he learned upon talking to The Republic and filing his paperwork that he was just on the outskirts of city limits.
Still, he is moving forward with his campaign and said that, if challenged, he will defend his candidacy.
“We raise our son here,” he said. “We pay taxes here. We support businesses here. We’re just as much Columbus as anyone else.”
In discussing his reasons for running, Webster said he and his wife “fell in love” with Columbus immediately.
“I see so much opportunity in our city,” he said. “I’m thrilled to be a member of Columbus. I’ve lived in Indianapolis for a long time. I relocated here with my wife, who was in Seattle for many years as well, and just the city, we just fell in love with it immediately. We’re fortunate to be here.”
Webster added that being mayor is a dream he’s held since he was a teenager and fits into his passion for philanthropy and service.
He describes himself as a “born and raised Hoosier” and a successful small business owner for the past decade. His priorities include economic growth, support for businesses of all sizes, continued diversity initiatives, education and efficient city budgeting.
“Entering this race is just the beginning,” said Webster. “I plan to be out in our community to show strong leadership and find out how I can best serve the community as I run for mayor. I will not shy away from rolling my sleeves up.”
