PERSPECTIVE: Saturday’s Republican Party Election Date: 02/24/25
By: Logan Foster
This Saturday, hundreds of Republican precinct men and women will converge to decide the next leadership team for the St. Joseph County Republican Party (SJCGOP). With contested races for both the Chair and Vice Chair, the stakes are high in shaping the party's future direction.
Having been recently appointed as a precinct representative, I have previously had the opportunity to observe the candidates, the structure of the party, and the challenges the party has and currently faces. Here, I aim to share my thoughts on the upcoming election, reflect on past results, and provide an endorsement for the Chair race.
The Candidates: Leadership at a Crossroads
The election pits incumbent Chair Jackie Horvath against St. Joseph County Councilwoman Amy Drake for the role of Chair. For Vice Chair, Mark Rolfes will face Jamie O’Brien. Both races are expected to be closely contested, with implications for the direction and priorities of the local Republican Party.
Reflecting on Leadership and Accountability
It’s essential to consider the role and responsibilities of party leadership. I have been vocal about my concerns with elected officials holding party officer roles, a stance I’ve applied previously to the Democratic Party (i.e. Diana Hess serving as Chair of the SJCDP while also serving as a County Councilperson.) While it may avoid legal conflicts, I believe it creates potential challenges in accountability, fundraising, and party support during elections. Should an official—or challenger—violate party ethics or need scrutiny, how can the party’s Chair fairly address such issues when they themselves are part of the public office framework? Leadership requires impartiality to truly serve all facets of the party.
This principle is particularly relevant to the candidacy of Amy Drake, who serves on the St. Joseph County Council. Additionally, it is also reported that Councilperson Drake has higher aspirations, and wishes to pursue state wide offices (see images below.) I believe Councilperson Drake is extremely talented and she should be able to pursue those offices, or re election in her current office without any of the baggage or distraction that serving as the Chair will bring.
Jackie Horvath’s Impact As Chair
In the summer of 2024, Jackie Horvath stepped into the Chair position, replacing Tyler Gillean after the May Primary elections. With minimal lead time, Jackie orchestrated a general election strategy that delivered seven victories out of eight contested countywide races:
County Council DF: Randy Figg (67.31%)
County Council DI: Andy Rutten (59.77%)
County Commissioner D3: Tony Hazen (58.51%)
Probate Judge: Loris Zappia (54.05%)
County Coroner: Patricia Jordan (52.76%)
County Surveyor: Derek Dieter (50.08%)
County Recorder: Candace Brown (50.04%)
County Treasurer (Lost): Michael Rose (49.33%)
Winning seven out of eight races demonstrates Horvath’s ability to deliver real results, even with limited time to regroup the party. Her leadership has paved the way for a successful election cycle, which should not be overlooked when evaluating her record.
Challenges with Amy Drake’s Vision
Amy Drake brings her own strengths to the table—she’s proven politically savvy and vocal against the controversial low-barrier homeless shelter program in South Bend. However, I have honest reservations about her broader vision for South Bend. During our personal conversations, before she announced interest in running for Chair, she expressed minimal interest in engaging with the city of South Bend beyond isolated issues, effectively "writing off" South Bend.
With over 100,000 residents, South Bend is the most populous city in the county and the fourth largest city in Indiana. Ignoring South Bend's voters and challenges is not a sustainable strategy for long-term growth or inclusivity within the Republican Party. The Chair must champion the concerns of all constituents in the county, regardless of party strongholds.
Addressing Party Conflict and Misinformation
Campaign tensions have risen between factions vying for leadership roles. Recently, public attacks were made regarding party consultant Sam Barke, centering on financial transactions within the party. A series of newsletter communications have been sent out diminishing Barke's role with the St. Joseph County Republican Party. Claims in the newsletter cited that $100k's have been spent with Barke's firm since the fall of 2022.
While that sounds like a lot of money, and it is a lot of money, what has the party and candidates received for the money spent? After speaking with Barke, Barke noted that his firm has a "formula" for advertising. Candidates and the party are fully aware of the costs upfront, and Barke uses the allotted dollars to purchase TV ads, radio ads, printed and mailed materials, among other advertising. The SJCGOP also reported a 25% reduction in consulting payments in 2024.
When we consider the success and failure of any candidate, we have many factors to consider. First, how viable is the candidate (how well versed in policy, public relations, likable, etc....) Second, how hard is the candidate working and how committed to the campaign is each candidate (this is just as or more important than advertising dollars. Please see how hard Derek Dieter worked on his Surveyor campaign. He was determined to win. That is a dedication all candidates should display.) Lastly, how viable and how much money is the competing candidate spending? This is not a simulation, the other candidate is trying to win as well, an infinite number of factors can explain a win or a loss. Recapping, it's disingenuous to blame a political consultant for a few election losses in 2023, especially when the races were nearly "un winnable." It doesn't mean we do not try, but we do not point fingers when we fail. We get up and "try, try again."
Another example, Amy Drake reportedly received $12,000 on September 8th, 2022 for consulting services. Meanwhile, she's been critical of Barke receiving consulting payments. It’s disheartening to see these issues drive division within the party. The focus should remain on shared objectives rather than internal disputes. (The $12,000 Drake received in 2022 is over 33% of the SJCGOP’s 2024 consulting budget for perspective.)
**I believe it is also important to note that the St. Joseph County Democratic Party will also be hosting their party election this Saturday. At the time of writing this, all of the Democratic offices remain uncontested. The Democratic Party has united under one candidate, while the Republican Party is pointing fingers and creating division, something we will not immediately recover from after the vote on Saturday.
Endorsement for Jackie Horvath
Leadership isn’t just about what’s on paper; it’s about action, results, and the ability to unite people. Jackie Horvath has demonstrated these qualities, achieving critical wins in her short time as Chair and supporting community initiatives with integrity and dedication.
While Amy Drake is a capable and intelligent leader, her stance on divesting from South Bend and (in my belief) the conflicts posed by her dual roles as Chair and elected official are concerning. These factors, combined with Horvath’s track record of success and character, make it clear to me that Jackie Horvath is the best choice to continue Chairing the St. Joseph County Republican Party.
The Republicans in our county have a significant opportunity to solidify their foothold, build inclusivity, and expand their influence. On Saturday, I encourage my fellow precinct representatives to vote for Jackie Horvath as Chair.
A Testament to Character
One personal anecdote stands out in explaining my endorsement. Early in Jackie Horvath’s tenure as Chair, I believe it was the first time I had met Jackie, I brought her an idea to collaborate with former Democratic Councilman Henry Davis Jr. on hosting a bipartisan press conference. The event was intended to condemn a local injustice and raise funds to cover funeral expenses for a child tragically lost to gun violence. Jackie not only immediately agreed to take part, but she also donated $3,500 from her personal funds to ensure the funeral costs of the lost child were covered.
This act exemplifies leadership that values community, unity, and compassion beyond political divisions—qualities we desperately need today.