GOP breakfast a kickoff for election campaign?

The County Line

All Republican candidates for Hamilton County Council and the Board of Commissioners in this year’s election will be appearing at this month’s GOP Breakfast Club on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

In what may be considered a kickoff of the fall campaign locally, the candidates will likely be speaking about the competition in November, something that Republican candidates have not had to think much about in the past.

Council candidates Steve Nation, Sue Maki and incumbent Brad Beaver will be present along with commissioner candidates Steve Dillinger and Mark Heirbrandt, both running for re-election.

GOP candidates are expected to tout the record of accomplishments in local government and their belief that they are best able to keep making progress without increasing taxes.

They are, however, being challenged this year by a slate of Democrats offering new faces, but thus far no specific plans for the way in which they would operate local government services and institutions.

Democrats have not mounted a serious challenge at the county level since the 1950s, but recent elections show the party gaining ground.

The Breakfast Club 7:30 a.m. meeting will be held at Matteo’s restaurant, 40 N. 9th St., Noblesville. It is open to the public, but seating is limited and reservations are required through county GOP headquarters.