PRESS RELEASE
It was a full house in Berne on Thursday at the Clock Town Inn Event Center as the Adams County Republican Central Committee hosted the Adams County GOP Announcement Rally, with Republican candidates from the federal, state and local level coming out to publicize their candidacy for the 2024 election.
Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla was the keynote speaker as she spoke briefly before the candidates had an opportunity to announce their candidacy.
The rally was kicked off by Adams County Republican Party Vice Chair Judi Merkel as she was the emcee of the rally. Merkel recognized three senior high school students from each of the three public high schools in Adams County. Those students, Juliana Sipe from Adams Central, Carly Gilbert from Bellmont, and Zach Schwartz from South Adams, received an Indiana pin, along with a challenge coin from State Representative Matt Lehman.
Indiana Republican Party Secretary Mary Martin was also present and recognized the leadership of the Adams County Republican Party as a thriving party, noting that the state party has taken notice of what is going on in Adams County.
The Chairman thanked the sponsors of the rally, along with the candidates for putting their names on the ballot and encouraged them to serve with servant’s hearts.
Decatur City Councilwoman Abby Wilder led the invocation while Berne City Councilwoman Kelly Amstutz led the benediction. Adams County Commissioner Steve Bailey, who served as the Army Artillery, led in the Pledge of Allegiance