LOWELL | Two south Lake County Republicans may be candidates to fill an upcoming vacancy on the Lake County Council.
Larry Blanchard, an administrative aide to the Lake County Board of Commissioners, and Center Township Trustee Eldon Strong said Friday they won't rule out a possible bid for the 7th District seat Councilman Rick Niemeyer must give up soon to take up his new responsibilities in the state legislature.
Voters elected Niemeyer, of Lowell, Tuesday as state representative for House District 11. State law doesn't permit him to serve in the state Legislature and continue on the county government's fiscal body, where he has served since January 2011.
That will require Republican precinct committeemen in most of Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Winfield, Lowell, Schneider and rural south county to caucus after Niemeyer leaves to name someone to serve out the remainder of his council term.
Blanchard served 15 years as the 7th District county council member until 2010 when he stepped down and became an became administrator of the county employee's self-insurance program as well as guide other initiatives of the county commissioners.
Strong has been Center Township trustee since 2003. He also has served as a Center Township board member from 1999 to 2002. He ran unsuccessfully last year for Crown Point mayor.
Please Wait…