Three Republicans and three Democrats have secured their spots on the ballot for the November general election. They will face off in November for three at-large seats on the Johnson County Council.
Blythe Potter led the Democratic race with 31.6% of the vote, followed by Charrie Stambaugh with 31% and Michael Chiappetta with 22%. In the Republican race, Michele Ann Graves was the top voter-getter with 20.8% followed by Ron Bates with 19% and incumbent Melinda Griesemer with 17%.
Republican incumbent Ron Deer did not win his party’s nomination, nor did challengers James Copp and Brian Moore. Democrat Saad Tawfeeq also did not win a nomination.
The Johnson County Council has duties including approving the county budget, special spending and any new or increased taxes. Members serve for four years.
Democrats
Chiappetta, 69 of Bargersville, worked as a biochemist prior to retiring. He is running for the county council because he wants to preserve and improve the quality of life in Johnson County, he previously told the Daily Journal.
“The county is in a really good spot now. But I lived in San Diego and saw what happened to it from ‘72 to ‘94. It’s still a great place, but some of the elements of its quality of life, of having all sorts of open space and being easygoing and just an overall very pleasant environment to be in, aren’t guaranteed and weren’t guaranteed. Now … you couldn’t tell the difference [between it and] Los Angeles,” Chiappetta said. “Johnson County is going to grow like crazy because it’s a great place to be. … How we guide that growth is going to preserve and improve our quality of life. If we don’t guide it in the right direction … it could become Paradise Lost.”
Potter, 42 of Bargersville, is the co-owner of Bargersville Wellness. She said things in the county are being neglected that help the greater good, mostly infrastructure.
“I’d love to see more trails, more connectivity for pedestrians, bike lanes, faster repair of roadworks and safer intersections. We have really great nonprofit resources here, but we need more awareness of those, particularly for anyone experiencing homelessness, or needing help with rent and affordable housing. If nothing else, I want to just be able to plant seeds and ideas of what we could do with Johnson County,” Potter previously said. “We’re one of the fastest-growing counties in the state — we’re not slowing down. We need to start taking care of the people who are here now and not just paying attention to the businesses and people who are coming in.”
Stambaugh, 40 of Greenwood, is a photography business owner and formerly worked in nonprofit and public health sectors. She is running for the county council because she said she can bring a moderate perspective.
“I am running for this office because I know I can bring a moderate perspective to the table that benefits all people in our community. I’m a mom, a community volunteer, an entrepreneur, and someone educated in the world of federal, state and local funding, with a graduate degree in public health. I come from a multifaceted worldview,” Stambaugh previously told the Daily Journal. “And I care about our county. I want to make sure everyone is heard, that their concerns are noted, and that common sense drives our policies, ordinances and budgetary allocations.’
Republicans
Bates, 76 of Greenwood, is an educator at Suburban Christian School and served on the Greenwood City Council from 2004-2023. He said he is running for the county council to give back to the community in a new way.
“Public service was ingrained in me because of the type of ministry I do already in the classroom, this carries over into that arena as well,” Bates previously told the Daily Journal. “I’ve basically spent most of my adult life in public service. It’s giving back if you will.”
Graves, 61 of Trafalgar, has been the Johnson County Treasurer since 2016. She wants to use her experience as treasurer to make sure there’s a balanced budget with a focus on road and street repair and public safety.
“I want the county to be a great place to work, live and raise a family. My husband and I have raised two successful and happy children here. And we own rental properties throughout the county and we have a successful service company,” Graves previously told the Daily Journal. “I also have experience in finance and community service necessary to be effective on the county council.
Griesemer, 52 of Greenwood, has been on the Johnson County Council since 2020. She said she has fought against raising taxes and is a proponent of government transparency.
“I want to see continued improvement in the way the county allots funds for projects. As the incumbent, I have fought hard against raising taxes. I was the only one on the council who voted against the county [vehicle excise] tax. I want to run again to make sure that the voice of the taxpayers is heard on the council. I promised when I was elected to office the last term I would represent the voice of the people and make sure it was heard on the council. And I have done that,” Griesemer previously told the Daily Journal. “I’m also running because I felt like prior to my last term, there was a lack of transparency. … Every conversation I make, I want to make in front of cameras so that the county knows where I stand and what is being done.”
HOW YOU VOTED
Johnson County Council — Democrats
Michael F. Chiappetta: 22.1%
Blythe Potter: 31.6%
Charrie Stambaugh: 31%
Saad Tawfeeq: 15.3%
HOW YOU VOTED
Johnson County Council — Republicans
Ronald “Ron” Bates: 19%
James Copp: 15.6%
Ronald “Ron” Deer: 15.6%
Michele Ann Graves: 20.9%
Melinda Griesemer: 17.2%
Brian Moore: 11.9%
