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Putnam political parties get new leadership
The Putnam County Republicans have a new party chairman, while both the local Democrats and Republicans have selected new vice chairmen.
Once every four years, precinct committee members gather in each of Indiana's 92 counties to choose their county Republican and Democrat leadership teams. Saturday was that day with both Putnam parties pumping some new, younger blood into their groups.
Beau Baird, son of District 44 State Rep. Jim Baird (R-Greencastle), was elected the Republican chairman, succeeding Jerry Ensor, who not only served the past four years but also a number of previous GOP terms.
Baird, a Purdue University graduate who serves as chief financial officer for Indiana Home Care Plus and Baird Family Farms 4LLC, outpolled Wally Hinkle of Greencastle for the GOP chairman's spot.
Adam Cohen, professor and men's swim coach at DePauw University, was unopposed for another term as Putnam County Democrat chairman. Cohen is also president of the Greencastle City Council, where he serves as First Ward councilman.
Both parties will have new vice chairmen after Saturday's precinct committeemen's vote.
Kim Fidler of Greencastle, who carried the Democrat banner in the District 44 state representative race in a losing effort against Jim Baird, was elected vice chairman of the Democrats, while Elizabeth Fiscus defeated Tracy Bridges to serve in that role for the local Republicans.
Rounding out the Republican Central Committee roster are Justin Long, Putnam County chief deputy prosecutor, as treasurer and local attorney Scott Bienieck of Greencastle Township as secretary.
Long ran unopposed to retain his treasurer's spot, while Bienieck defeated Renee Hill of Belle Union to become secretary and succeed Carol Sweet in that capacity. Sweet had held the GOP secretary post for 27 years but had to give up the position because she will be relocating from Putnam County.
Meanwhile, the Putnam County Democrat Central Committee will now include Dave Gellman of Greencastle, who was elected as treasurer and Veronica Pejril of Greencastle, who was elected secretary.
The Democrat slate of officers was unopposed and elected unanimously.
The Democrats also announced that Bruce Zink will be in charge of the local party's social media, while Erica Brandon will be the party events chairman.