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ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. — In a shocking political maneuver this month, a secret, closed-door meeting by Indiana’s 2nd District GOP Committee led to the ousting of America First Republican St. Joseph County Councilman Dan Schaetzle. One of the orchestrators behind this backroom coup?… A man by the name of Sean Surrisi, a known Democrat operative and close ally of Congressman Rudy Yakym. The Second District Republican Board of: Courtney Papa, State Rep. Jake Teshka, Lynn Fitzpatrick and Congressman Yakym Representative Griffin Nate ruled Dan Schaetzle to be “not in good standing” while refusing to release the minutes of the meeting to the public, nor the vote tally. The attorney for the board: Progressive Democrat Sean Surrisi.
The 2nd District Republican Board voted to censure Schaetzle following a complaint by Republican St. Joseph County Councilman, Joe Thomas. Thomas’ claim was based on a Facebook post in which Schaetzle was critical of St. Joseph County Probate Judge Candidate Loris Zappia who was involved in the killing of a Brother of the Holy Cross in the 1980s and had been caught up in a domestic violence scandal last summer. Thomas himself has voted against several Conservative issues, including voting to put an known abortionist in charge of the St. Joseph County Department of Health.
Sean Surrisi: A Democrat Masquerading as a Republican
Despite being the attorney for the 2nd District Republican board, Indiana State records confirm Sean Surrisi has long been a Democrat insider, previously serving as a convention delegate and precinct captain for the Marshall County Democratic Party. His wife, Janette Surrisi, has also been deeply embedded in Democratic circles, having participated in progressive activism aimed at pushing the Democratic Party further left. Janette Surrisi has also served as a Democrat Convention Delegate in Marshall County. The official list of Democrat delegates from 2010 can be seen below.
Interestingly, the Surrisi’s conveniently switched allegiances after recent elections. Sean Surrisi found political refuge in the Republican Party after securing a position as city attorney for Plymouth, Indiana and is currently the County Attorney for the Republican Controlled Marshall County Commissioners. However, his attempts to seize power have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, he ran for Marshall County Republican Chair but was soundly defeated by true conservatives who recognized his Democrat past.
Janette Surrisi: A Progressive Trojan Horse in the Republican Judiciary
Janette Surrisi, now the Republican Circuit Court Judge for Marshall County, has a long history of advocating for far-left policies. Per state records, she, too, was a Democrat Party delegate from Marshall County. Her social media activity further exposes her progressive ideology, including posts in a Facebook group titled, “We Support a Progressive Candidate to Replace Evan Bayh.”
In that group, she helped lead efforts to push for a more left-wing successor to Bayh, who was once considered as Barack Obama’s potential vice-presidential pick. She wrote, “It is the only way to have a competitive race and give a progressive candidate a chance. It is better than allowing just 32 party members/bosses to decide.”
Her advocacy for a candidate even more radical than Bayh—who voted in favor of Obamacare and had a 100% NARAL Pro-Choice America rating—reveals where her true allegiances lie. Now wearing the Republican label, Janette Surrisi’s judicial position raises serious concerns about whether conservative values are being upheld in Marshall County’s courts.
Congressman Yakym’s Fingerprints on the Coup
Sean Surrisi’s power grab within the GOP is deeply connected to Congressman Rudy Yakym’s broader effort to eliminate America First conservatives. Yakym has been aggressive in removing anyone he perceives as a threat to his rumored senatorial ambitions. His hiring of Surrisi as the attorney for the 2nd District Republican Board represents a blatant conflict of interest.
Sean Surrisi’s own social media interactions further reveal his close ties to Griffin Nate, Yakym’s District Director. Griffin Nate has had a contentious history with Councilman Dan Schaetzle, particularly after Schaetzle exposed false accusations of embezzlement against former St. Joseph County GOP Chairman Tyler Gillean. Schaetzle’s defense of Gillean derailed Yakym’s alleged attempt to install Griffin Nate as county chairman, leading to further political retribution against conservatives in the district.
To solidify their influence, the Surrisi’s have financially backed Yakym’s congressional campaign, contributing a reported $2,500 to his efforts. This fits a broader pattern of Yakym’s alliances with establishment figures like disgraced Vice President Mike Pence and former Democrats while undermining Trump-aligned conservatives.
The Fight for the Future of the GOP in Indiana’s 2nd District
Sean Surrisi stated that the Republican Party “has a right to limit membership,” echoing the establishment’s ongoing efforts to marginalize America First conservatives. His words come at a time when President Donald Trump has successfully expanded the GOP’s base to new coalitions of voters. Yet, Congressman Yakym and his supporters seem intent on pushing those very voters away in an attempt to consolidate power for themselves.
Councilman Schaetzle, however, is not backing down. He has vowed to appeal the decision and fight for the integrity of the Republican Party in St. Joseph County and beyond.
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