Staff writer
Roger K. Fleming, of Hillsboro, will challenge incumbent Bob Hein, also of Hillsboro, in the race for the Republican nomination to represent District 1 on Marion County Commission.
Fleming and Hein filed their candidacies before the Thursday deadline. The primary will be Aug. 3.
Fleming said some people he respects urged him to run for commission. He made his decision after discussing it with his wife, Cynthia.
“It would have been easy to say ‘no,’ but I thought maybe the county needed some fresh eyes,” Fleming said.
He said he wants to do something good for the county and is interested in seeing how county government works from the commission’s side.
Fleming is a retired Newton fire/emergency medical services captain. He and his wife also own Fleming’s Mini Stor-All and a few rental houses in Hillsboro and Marion. They moved to Hillsboro in 2001, but Cynthia’s job took them to Wichita in 2006. The returned to Hillsboro in March.
Hein was appointed to the commission in 1997 to fill a vacancy, and he has represented District 1 ever since, he said.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” Hein said. “If you don’t enjoy it, I guess you wouldn’t be there, would you?”
Several people asked him if he would run again. He said he spoke with his family about the decision to run for another term, and he decided he wanted another chance to help the people in District 1.
Hein, who has been absent from commission meetings since mid-April because of a health issue, said he is confident he will be healthy enough for another full term.
“I’m getting along real well,” Hein said.
Township clerk positions are also up for election in all Marion County townships. Seven townships have clerk candidates, all of whom are Republicans. Those who have filed are Gordon Groening, Centre Township; Gary D. Unruh, Durham Park Township; Lowell Heinrichs, East Branch Township; Gail L. Whiteman, Gale Township; Jared D. Jost, Liberty Township; Stephanie Ax, Peabody Township; and Wilfred H. Unruh, West Branch Township.