BREAKING: SJC Council Pres. Mark Root drops out of race for re-election

HELP SUPPORT INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM BY BECOMING A SUBSCRIBING MEMBER. YOU CAN ALSO MAKE A ONE TIME DONATION HERE.

OSCEOLA, Ind. — REAL News Michiana has learned Republican St. Joseph County Council President Mark Root has decided to drop out of his race for re-election. According to officials at the St. Joseph County Clerk’s Office, Root filed his paperwork to withdraw his candidacy this morning.

Root has represented County Council District I for nearly two decades.

His decision to withdraw comes as he is facing two primary challengers this year.

CURRENT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR DISTRICT I

Kent Hizer: Hizer, a Mishawaka native, currently serves on the Penn Township Advisory Board. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and former volunteer police officer. According to his campaign website, Hizer has been the president of multiple metal fabrication companies from 1983-2017. He is currently the National Sales Manager for Riten Industries. He also serves as the Safety Officer on a national Disaster Medical Assist Team responsible for responding to national disasters. You can learn more about him on his website here.

“I appreciate Mark’s many years of service. I believe I am the best candidate with the right background and record to effectively represent the constituents of District I.” Hizer said to RNM.

Andy Rutten: Rutten is a Mechanical Engineer with a Masters Degree from the University of Notre Dame. He grew up in Minnesota and moved to Michiana in 1997. He ran a strong campaign for the Penn Harris Madison School Board in 2022, but came up short. You can learn more about Rutten by visiting his campaign website here.

“Mark is a great guy who served our community well for 20 years. I’d like to continue that service and keep Penn Twp. a great place to live and raise a family.” Andy Rutten told RNM in a statement.

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.