SOUTH BEND, Ind., Feb. 25, 2026 — The St. Joseph County Election Board voted 3–0 Wednesday to reject challenges to Dan Schaetzle’s candidacy, allowing Schaetzle to remain on the Republican primary ballot for County Council District C.
The principal challenge was filed by Griffin Nate, secretary of the Indiana Republican Party’s 2nd District Committee and district director for U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym. Nate was represented by attorney Sean Surrisi of Wyland, Humphrey, Clevenger & Surrisi, LLP. A separate challenge was filed by St. Joseph County Republican Party Chair Jackie Horvath.
The objections did not allege defects in Schaetzle’s filing paperwork. Instead, they argued that under Indiana Republican Party rules Schaetzle is not a Republican “in good standing” and therefore ineligible to seek the party’s nomination.
The filings relied on a written order from the Indiana Republican Party’s 2nd District Central Committee which stated that Schaetzle “is not a Republican in Good-Standing for violations of Rule 1-25 until January 31, 2027.” The Indiana Republican State Committee later upheld that determination.
After a public hearing and vote, St Joseph County’s three-member Election Board voted 3–0 to reject the challenges, concluding Schaetzle satisfied Indiana’s statutory requirements for ballot access.
Unless further legal action is filed, Schaetzle will proceed as a Republican candidate in the May 5th primary against challenger Jamie O’Brien. Campaign finance filings show the principal challenger to Dan Schaetzle’s ballot eligibility, Griffin Nate, made a $1,500 contribution in October 2025 to Jamie O’Brien’s campaign.
Redress Wire
Redress Wire is the news service of Redress South Bend, focused on document-based reporting, public records, public meetings, legal filings, and official statements in South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana. Wire briefs are prepared from primary source materials and government records.
