Four contend for two Vigo County commissioner seats
Four candidates are running for the Vigo County Board of Commissioners, with two vying for the seat in District 2 and another pair competing in District 3.
District 2 Republican incumbent Chris Switzer is matched up against Democratic challenger Courtney Weger.
In District 3, incumbent Republican Mike Morris is taking on Democratic challenger Tony Kassissieh.
The four spoke to the Tribune-Star about why they're running and their hopes for the county.
District 2
Chris Switzer was elected to his first term as County Commissioner in 2020. Prior to his time as commissioner, Switzer spent 13 years in the private sector and two years as a Vigo County Council member.
He said he hopes "to continue to advocate for the younger people living in our community, to represent the Wabash Valley at the state and federal levels, [and to] continue to build a better Vigo County."
Helping create "Nearly $5 billion in economic output in my four years as Commissioner" qualifies him for the position, Switzer said.
He listed a number of priorities for his next term in office:
"Supporting the Vigo County School Corporation in our capacity as Commissioner," Switzer wrote in an email. "Building a new Vigo County Community Corrections building to allow for reduced incarceration and more supportive programming. Continuing to build relationships across the state and Midwest. Capitalizing on ongoing collaboration with the City of Terre Haute. Pursue more economic development opportunities, especially advanced manufacturing and technology. Supporting the airport and its priorities."
Additional concerns facing the commissioners, he said, include "Adjusting to potential legislation regarding personal and business property taxes. New legislation concerning road funding, bridges and culverts. Supporting the Judicial branch in reducing jail population. More programming around reducing incarceration."
Switzer added, "Continuing to monitor gaming and the impact legislation could have on Terre Haute's casino. Raising Vigo County's median income. Providing more quality of life opportunities for local families."
This is Courtney Weger's first campaign for political office, but not his first exposure to the political system.
"I've pretty much been around politics my whole life, but even as a kid, I always thought that the commissioner's office in particular was very interesting," he said. "I always thought of it as a kind of 'mayor of the county'-type thing. ... I know it's in the city, but it seems more rural."
The asphalt worker thinks he's qualified to take on the job because others believe so, as well, he said.
"Over the last year or so, I've had people approach me," Weger noted, "and they've said, 'You know, you've been around this stuff your whole life. You know so many people. You've worked with so many people in the trades. You've done all these different things. You would be a good fit as a community public servant.'
"One thing I like to do is just get out and meet the community," he added. "I am a big believer in being a personable guy, not just because of this campaign, but I just like dealing with folks, just talking to them and listening to them and seeing any ideas they have about things that need to go on in the community."
Weger listed a number of issues as being on his inventory of top priorities.
"The same issues come up, whether it's the overpopulated jail, mental health, addiction and Community Corrections," he said. "One thing I learned we rank high in is CHINS cases — Children In Need of Services. When I heard about those CHINS cases, I thought, 'We've got a lot of children in need of services.'"
District 3
Mike Morris, like Switzer, began his first term as Commissioner in 2021. He had served as a Vigo County Councilman for a decade.
He issued a statement:
"I've been a Vigo County Commissioner for three years and 9 months. During that time I, with the help of my fellow Commissioners, have managed building maintenance, road repairs and reconstruction, human resources, severe storm damage, trail building, new business development and many more projects. These projects do not begin and end on Election Day.
"I bring to this job the ability to work with people, accomplish goals, and make good decisions. I have a proven record of accomplishments. We have Vigo County on the move and I appreciate your support to continue moving Vigo County to a great future. I have lived in Vigo County all of my 73 years and graduated from Wiley High School (and) attended Rose Hulman and Indiana State University. I will continue to work to earn your trust and appreciate your support."
Former TV news cameraman Tony Kassissieh does not have a particularly large war chest for his campaign, so he has been using old-fashioned shoe leather to appeal to voters.
He said he has knocked on 8,000 doors and has lost 65 pounds in the process.
"I've covered a lot of community meetings and felt like a lot of voices weren't being heard," he said by way of explaining his candidacy. "While covering politics, I got a good handle on the positives and negatives in the community, and am looking forward to creating more positives in Terre Haute."
His journalism background qualifies him for the position, Kassissieh believes.
"I have had conversations with all politicians and community leaders for the past 30 years," he said. "I have the pulse of the community and know what people want from a leader."
Kassissieh said dealing with the overcrowding issue in the new jail will be his top priority.
"Look at the numbers, and it seems like we're bleeding money out to other counties," he said. "It's $37,000 a month and $450,000 a year. We have to do better and speed up that process. The jail is two years old and we've been paying money since moving into it. Fixes might take one, two years. It's a complex problem — if it was easy, it would have already been fixed."
