Porter County Clerk’s Race: Domer vs. Haney

The Porter County Clerk’s race presents an engaging contest between two candidates with distinct backgrounds. Valparaiso City Council member Barbara Domer, representing the Democrats, squares off against Republican Jackie Haney, the chief finance deputy with long-standing experience in the clerk’s office. Current incumbent Jessica Bailey has reached her term limit and is pursuing a role as state comptroller.

Barbara Domer’s Vision

Barbara Domer is nearing the end of her initial term on the city council. Her primary focus, if elected, will be increasing voter participation. Domer has been involved with Indivisible Indiana and served on the board of The League of Women Voters, though she stepped down following her narrow city council win by only four votes. She often cites this victory as a testament to the importance of every vote.

I remind people of my four-vote victory on the city council. I beat the incumbent by four votes out of 1,800. My campaign slogan is ‘Your vote is your voice,’ Domer explained. Voting is a civic duty as opposed to a political function. I feel like I would be a voice for that throughout our county.

Domer notes that Porter County’s voter turnout is average in a state with generally low participation. To improve this, she plans to increase voting access by opening more vote centers and extending the operational days and locations of mobile voting vans, potentially including stops at assisted living facilities and grocery stores.

I would like to see it at union halls during voting membership nights, she proposed, The hospital parking lot; why couldn’t it go there, or just a medical complex? However, she acknowledges that expanding options requires effective communication about times, locations, and voter requirements.

Domer believes her accounting background and experience in overseeing city finances would benefit the clerk’s office. She wants to enhance the office’s success, stressing that although some clerk office functions are less visible, they play a crucial role in daily life.

If more funds are needed, we just have to say we can’t put a price on democracy, she stated about securing budget increases for voter access.

Jackie Haney’s Experience

Jackie Haney brings three decades of experience within the clerk’s office. She offers a promise of continuity and a comprehensive understanding of the office’s operations.

I started in traffic basically as a teenager. I’ve been a part of it all this entire time, and I’m experienced, Haney noted. When everyone talks about taxpayer dollars, you’re saving dollars because it would take years to learn everything. It’s a very big office, she added, referring to the various locations the office serves, including the Porter County Courthouse and other regional courts.

As the current chief finance deputy, Haney manages finances, prepares for audits, and handles daily operations, including staff training in child support security. She is also completing a Certificate Program in Election Administration Technology and Security through Ball State University.

Despite this being her first political campaign, Haney believes her ability to build relationships will be vital. Her community involvement with organizations such as Kiwanis and the Porter County Parks Foundation underscores her established local connections.

It would be a smoother transition if I was elected as clerk. I already know the ins and outs, and I can just come in and build, she explained. We’re great now, and I want to continue to build on that greatness.

Haney aims to enhance training programs within the department, creating a more structured framework to benefit public understanding and service efficiency.