Kyle Babcock Announces for District 18?

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Earlier this month Kyle Babcock, councilman for the city of Warsaw, began announcing to the "who's-who" of local politicians that he will be running for Indiana House seat District 18.  While the context of the phone call (which is how he has informed most our contacts at KosGOP.com and YourRedElephant.com) was a shock to most recipients, no one was more surprised than current Representative Dave Wolkins of District 18.

 

On May 4th, Babcock announced his candidacy for District 18 to YourRedElephant.com.  Mr. Babcock said that he had just gotten off the phone with Representative Wolkins to inform him that he would be running against him in the Republican primary.

 

Mr. Wolkins confirmed that he'd recieved a phone call from Mr. Babcock earlier that day.  The announcement came as a shock to the conservative, since Mr. Babcock had never disclosed his intentions. Aparently, Mr. Babcock has become entangled in a messy lawsuit and countersuit with Ousley Construction and according to the conversation between Wolkins and Babcock, Kyle is running to "clear his name."

 

"I've heard a lot of reasons people have for runnining for office, but that is a first for me," says Wolkins.

    

 A few days later, though, Babcock approached Representative Jackie Walorski (District 22) at the Elkhart County Lincoln Day Dinner, and gave her an entirely different reason for running.

 

Mr. Babcock told KosGOP.com that "the money" in Kosciusko County got together and asked me to run against Dave."  When asked who "The Money" was, he cited names such as Dane Miller (Founder and former CEO of Biomet), Dick Miller (of Miller's Merry Manor), He also claimed to have the support of Kent Adams, (former Indiana State Senator).

 

As impressive as the list is, bloggers from KosGOP.com and YourRedElephant.com have begun to make contact with the distinguished members of the list of names Mr. Babcock has been dropping as he announces his candidacy throughout the state.  Not all members of the list have yet been contacted for comment, but those who have been contacted were not aware their names have been used by Mr. Babcock.

 

Dane Miller was the most prominant name dropped by the councilman.  When Mr. Miller was asked whether he was a supporter of Mr. Babcocks or not, he did not mince words, "While Dave and I have not always agreed on every issue, he can count on my support in this race [against Kyle]."

While there is no doubt that Mr. Babcock has his supporters, it is also very clear that he claims to have the support of some without actually having it.  In reality, the biggest names he quotes as supporters actually oppose his candidacy. 

 YourRedElephant Team will continue to follow this story and keep you updated.

Girod To Serve As County GOP Chair

Jennifer Peryam
Times-Union Staff Writer
 Kosciusko County Republicans held reorganization meetings Saturday.
Randy Girod was elected Saturday morning to serve as the new Kosciusko County Republican Party chairman.
The Kosciusko County Republican Central Committee held a reorganization meeting Saturday morning in the Circuit Court room in the old courthouse.
Girod, Syracuse, will replace former chairman Aaron Rovenstine who served in the position for two terms. Girod was selected by precinct committeemen.