HELP SUPPORT INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM BY BECOMING A SUBSCRIBING MEMBER. YOU CAN ALSO MAKE A ONE TIME DONATION HERE.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Four Republican members of the St. Joseph County Council voted to make a Democrat the Vice President of the council, despite having a 5-4 GOP majority of the governing body. Republicans Amy Drake, Joe Thomas, Randy Figg and Mark Root joined the four Democrats on the County Council to elect Democrat Rafael Morton to the VP leadership position in an 8-1 vote. Only Republican Dan Schaetzle voted against the move. Republican Mark Root was voted in as President. Republican Randy Figg was voted in as President Pro-Tempore.
While this appears to be an attempt at showing some sort of bipartisanship, this type of “bipartisan” favor was not given to Republicans when Democrats were in the majority prior to 2023.
For instance, in 2019, when Democrats had a 6-3 majority, the leadership was all Democrats despite the council having three Republican members. The leadership looked like this — President: Democrat Rafael Morton – President Pro-Tempore: Democrat Diana Hess – Vice President: Democrat Corey Noland.
While Republicans voted unanimously to have Morton in the VP slot last year, there was somewhat of an excuse to include a Democrat in a leadership role at the time. At the beginning of 2023, three of the five Republicans had just been elected to the council and had no experience in running county or municipal government. However, those three now have a year of experience under their belts.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The St. Joseph County Council is the fiscal body of the county’s government, determining how and how much taxpayer money is spent. The leaders of the Council have strong authority over setting the agenda, what is and isn’t being discussed at meetings and how those meetings are held. If Republicans Mark Root or Randy Figg aren’t present, Morton would be in charge. And, it turns out, Root has a history of absenteeism.
Root’s attendance issues have been a source of criticism dating back to at least 2017 when the South Bend Tribune wrote an article regarding his lack of involvement and presence at multiple budget meetings.
Want to keep seeing the news the legacy media just won’t report? REAL News Michiana relies on member subscribers to keep going. As a subscriber, you’ll get an RNM mug and invites to special events. Help us continue to expose corruption and report on the news conservatives care about by subscribing here.
Another item on Santa’s list, belatedly: A luxury suite for Jack Colwell at Miller’s Merry Manor without Internet and Wi-Fi access.
A lot of Democrats identify as conservative Republicans just like half of the republicans in Congress do