As the Nov. 5 general election wraps up, officials in Northwest Indiana prepare for the next political process: a caucus.
Lake and Porter counties will both hold at least one caucus following the general election’s results.
The Lake County Democratic Party will hold a caucus to fill Mark Spencer’s seat on the Gary Common Council. The Porter County Republican Party will hold a caucus to fill Ed Morales’ seat as Porter Township trustee.
Spencer, a Democrat, this week was elected as District 3 Indiana State Senator.
“I am most appreciative of the voter base and the constituents who trusted me with their vote,” he told the Post-Tribune Tuesday night. “It’s nothing I take lightly. I know that it’s quite the responsibility to represent District 3.”
Spencer has served as an at-large member of Gary Common Council since October 2023. Since he’s an at-large member, about 47 precinct committee members will participate, said Lake County Democratic Chairman Jim Wieser.
The caucus will be held within 30 days after Nov. 6, which is when Spencer resigned, Wieser said. The party doesn’t know when the caucus will be scheduled or where it will be held, he added.
“We might consult with (Mayor Eddie Melton) to make sure it works with his schedule if he’d like to be there,” Wieser said.
Wieser is still unsure how many people will file, he said.
To run in a caucus, a candidate must meet several criteria. For instance, in the Porter Township Trustee race, eligible candidates must be a resident township, a registered voter and registered Republican, said Michael Simpson, chair for the Porter County Republican Party.
“There’s a caucus any time a vacancy is created,” Simpson said, “whether that’s through resignation, death or for whatever reason.”
Porter Township Trustee Ed Morales was elected to the county’s Board of Commissioners’ South District. Morales was a trustee for 17 years.
“I want to thank my supporters,” he said Wednesday. “It’s truly a privilege to represent District 1. You never take that faith they’ve put in me for granted.”
The Republican Party won’t do anything until the election results are certified Nov. 15, Simpson said Friday. Then, they will lay out a “long-term plan” through December and elect a new trustee that will take office Jan. 1.
Seven precinct committee members will participate in the caucus, Simpson said, and he doesn’t know how long it will take.
“It depends on how many candidates decide to file for the opening,” he added. “If one files, it’ll take less than five minutes. If five people file, it’ll take an hour.”
