The two Republican members of the Indiana County Board of Commissioners have announced that they will not run for re-election.
Five-term Commissioner Rodney Ruddock says he will retire from office. He said he is in good health, but cited age and the demands of the job as the major factors in his decision. He adds that there is still work to be done in his final year in office, as he focuses on “developing strategies that will help promote jobs and workforce development.”
Mike Baker’s decision to not seek a second full term in office will be seen by political observers as a signal that he could potentially be exploring the opportunity to run for Senate, following the retirement notification last by Senator Don White. He has not indicated what his future plans are. Baker is the current chairman of the commissioners after gathering the most votes in the election of 2015. He first took office at the end of 2013 when he was selected to replace the retiring Commissioner David Frick.
With the two Republicans stepping down at the end of the year, the field is wide open for the Spring Primary and General Election to follow. So far, only Sherene Hess, the current minority commissioner, has declared as a candidate for the office.
(Photo of Commissioners Sherene Hess, Mike Baker and Rod Ruddock taken by Anthony Frazier)
