Duane Culp announces candidacy for Mayor of Plymouth

Longtime Plymouth resident and current Plymouth Common Council member Duane Culp announced Thursday, August 20th, that he is seeking the Republican nomination for Mayor of Plymouth in the May 4, 2027, municipal primary election.

A lifelong Plymouth resident, Culp has dedicated more than three decades to public service through law enforcement, public safety, volunteer service, and local government.

"I believe that I am the person Plymouth needs to move forward," Culp said. "We have a beautiful community that we should share. I believe Plymouth has tremendous potential, and I want to help make sure we are prepared for the opportunities ahead."

Culp's commitment to public service began in 1988 when he graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and joined the Marshall County Sheriff's Department. During more than 30 years in law enforcement, he advanced to Detective Lieutenant and served as third in command before retiring in 2019. He also served 18 years with the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department, has been an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police since 1988, and has served as Master of Ceremonies for the Marshall County Blueberry Festival since 1988. Following his retirement from law enforcement, he returned to public service and currently provides security for the Marshall County Courthouse.

Culp has served on the Plymouth Common Council since first being elected in 2011. During his tenure, he has supported community projects including the Harrison Street sidewalk, which improved pedestrian safety and neighborhood connectivity, and the Packard Woods Playground renovation, providing a lasting recreational asset for Plymouth families.

"I've had the privilege of serving Plymouth in many different ways throughout my life," Culp said. "I've worn a badge, served as a volunteer firefighter, worked alongside countless community volunteers, and served on the Common Council. Every one of those experiences has reinforced my belief that Plymouth is worth serving and worth investing in."

Culp's campaign will focus on bringing more and better-paying jobs to Plymouth, making mid-priced housing a major priority, maintaining strong public safety, and ensuring responsible government and fiscal stewardship.

"We need to be more aggressive in attracting employers that offer quality, good-paying jobs," Culp said. "Our young people should have opportunities to build their careers here rather than feeling they have to leave to find them."

Culp emphasized the connection between employment and housing, noting that good jobs and good housing go hand in hand. He also stressed that public safety will always be one of his highest priorities, drawing on his more than three decades of law enforcement experience and 18 years as a volunteer firefighter.

"Every dollar the city spends belongs to the taxpayers," Culp said. "We need thoughtful planning, accountability and open communication. We need to make investments that provide long-term value and make sure Plymouth is prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead."

For Culp, the campaign is deeply personal. His wife, Jacque, was also born and raised in Plymouth. Together, they raised their daughters, Katelynn and Brittany, in the community. Their daughter Katelynn is now married to a police officer, and they are raising three children.

"Plymouth isn't just where I live. Plymouth is Home," Culp said. "When I talk about Plymouth's future, I'm talking about the community where my family has lived, worked, raised children, and built our lives. I want Plymouth to be a place where our children and grandchildren have every opportunity to build a good life, where they are safe, where they can find good jobs and where they can afford to live."

"We don't need to become something we're not," Culp added. "We need to become an even stronger version of the community we already love."

"I believe in Plymouth. I believe in our people. I believe in our future," Culp said. "Together, we can make Plymouth safer, stronger, and more prosperous. We have a beautiful community, and I believe it's time we shared what makes Plymouth special with the rest of the world."