The Porter County Council will likely retain the same political party mix come January, as preliminary polling Tuesday night showed an even split between the number of Democrats and Republicans leading the four races for council seats up for reelection.
Council Vice President Red Stone, R-1st, ran unopposed in his pursuit of a second term.
To represent District 2, Democrat Brian Gulley led Republican Spencer Lemmons by nearly 25 points, though the election will not be certified until Nov. 13. Gulley, a former Portage City Councilman, served on that body from 2020 to 2023, but lost reelection. The United Auto Worker will replace Councilman Democrat Jeremy Rivas, who did not seek reelection.
Democrat Jack Tipold led Republican Dawn Miller by 16 points in the race to represent District 3. Tipold, an Air Force veteran, is a rapid response coordinator for the United Steelworkers and has been a union organizer for 33 years.
And in District 4, Republican Craig Kenworthy led Democrat Julia Kocal by nearly 17 points. Kenworthy ran unsuccessfully in 2000 for an at-large seat on the council after retiring as a pipefitter from Local 597 that year. He’s served on the Plan Commission since January 2025 and served 12 years on the Porter County Park Board from 2010 to 2022.
Now director of facility operations for East Porter County School Corporation, Kenworthy is a sixth-generation Morgan Township resident.
County Councilman Mike Brickner, R-At-Large, was not up for reelection, but lost a bid Tuesday for County Commissioner to Democrat Kyle Nelson, according to preliminary results. His council term continues for two more years.
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.