Republican Chairman challenges two township candidates' eligibility

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Two Republican candidates for township advisory boards will face eligibility challenges at a public hearing Tuesday, with the Marshall County Republican Party chairman questioning their voting records.

The Marshall County Election Board will convene at 2 p.m. on February 24th at the Marshall County Clerk's Office, 211 West Madison Street, to hear challenges filed by Republican Chairman Deb VanDeMark against Jacob A. Mechling and Nathan D. Brown.

Mechling, who filed to run as a Republican candidate for the Green Township Advisory Board, is being challenged over his primary voting record. According to VanDeMark's filing, Mechling has only voted Republican in one of the primaries in which he participated.

Brown filed paperwork to seek the Republican nomination for the Bourbon Township Advisory Board. VanDeMark's challenge alleges that Brown did not vote Republican in the two most recent primaries in which he cast ballots.

Indiana law requires candidates seeking a party's nomination to meet specific voting history requirements related to that party. The challenges raise questions about whether both candidates meet the Republican Party's eligibility standards for primary candidates.

The Election Board, which is composed of representatives from both major political parties, will review the evidence and determine whether each candidate is qualified to appear on the Republican primary ballot.

Tuesday's hearing is open to the public, allowing community members to observe the proceedings as the board evaluates the challenges. Both candidates will have the opportunity to respond to the allegations and present evidence supporting their eligibility.