Porter County Councilman Greg Simms lagged behind political newcomer Jack Tipold in the race for the Democratic spot on the November ballot for District 3, according to preliminary election results.
Tipold, of Valparaiso, a United Steelworkers organizer, received 51% of the votes to Simms’ 48% in the Democratic primary for Simms’ council seat Tuesday night.
Dawn Miller led her opponent, Kyle Reynolds, 52% to 47% in the race to represent the Republican ticket, according to unofficial election tallies. Election results will be certified May 15.
When asked by phone Tuesday night if he thought the calls for him to explain the accusations of inappropriate behavior with female students while a teacher at Washington Township High School cost him the election Simms said, “Oh, absolutely!” and called the efforts a smear campaign.
“I have to go after whoever leaked that sheet because that was illegal,” he said, referring to a letter from East Porter County School Corporation Superintendent Aaron Case dated Feb. 12, 2019, that states Simms was being placed on administrative leave after the district received “reports of inappropriate conduct in regards to female students.”
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not upset,” Simms said. “What do you do? You wake up the next day and you go on. The council didn’t define who I was. It was just something I did.”
Tipold, a rapid response coordinator for the United Steelworkers, is about to celebrate his 33rd year as an international union organizer. That job involves forming unions from the ground up as well as contract talks that have taken him to Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Europe.
He said the experience he’s gained working with families as a steel representative would be an asset to the role of councilman.
The Air Force veteran has sat on the Board of Directors of Allegius Credit Union for 20 years. He serves as treasurer and was recently accepted into the two-year leadership program at Harvard University. He’s also been an officer with Steelworkers Local 6787 for 15 years and heads both Veterans of Steel and Steelworkers for Kids.
Miller, who has consistently attended council meetings for years, is making her second attempt at a seat. She ran at-large in 2024. She’s never held public office but already makes it a habit to conduct hours of research to be well-informed on issues facing the county.
In a phone call Tuesday night, she said, “I am over-the-moon happy. All the work I’ve put in over the last five-and-a-half years has finally paid off. I cannot wait to represent the district.”
“My commitment is to the county,” said the Valparaiso resident, who works as a caregiver to the elderly and disabled veterans. “It’s to the people. I’ve been listening. I would always be the one that’s going to dig into stuff. I like to see what’s going to be best for our communities.”
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
