CROWN POINT | Lake County GOP Chairman John Curley said he is polling local Republicans to find the best possible candidates to fill the ticket vacancy for the Indiana House District 19 seat.

"A poll was taken. We have multiple candidates, and we are trying to separate the wheat from the chaff," Curley said Wednesday.

Republicans have until next month to hold a caucus of precinct committeemen in the district, which includes Crown Point and rural sections of Lake, Porter and Newton counties. The vacancy on the Nov. 4 general election ballot stems from Republican primary election winner Andrew Webster's withdrawal from the ballot last week for undisclosed personal reasons.

Curley said he hopes to call a caucus before the 30-day deadline -- but not until the committeemen are assured of a good choice of candidates.

"I don't believe in putting a warm body in a vacancy," Curley said. "But it's America, and I don't stop anyone from running either."

Jim Cuffia, a civil/structural engineer, has announced his interest in running. He ran unsuccessfully for the seat in 2004 and for a Crown Point City Council seat in 2003.