The Porter County Council will likely continue with the same political distribution come January. The latest preliminary results from Tuesday night indicate an equal number of Democrats and Republicans leading in the four council seat races up for reelection.
Red Stone, the Council Vice President representing District 1 as a Republican, ran without opposition for his second term. Meanwhile, District 3’s Democratic hopeful, Jack Tipold, joined supporters in Valparaiso for an election watch event on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
In District 2, Democrat Brian Gulley leads Republican Spencer Lemmons by a significant gap of nearly 25 points. This election result awaits official certification by November 13. Gulley, who previously held a position as a Portage City Councilman from 2020 to 2023, aims to replace Democrat Jeremy Rivas, who chose not to pursue reelection.
For District 3, Democrat Jack Tipold is ahead of Republican contender Dawn Miller by 16 points. Tipold, bringing a strong background as an Air Force veteran and a 33-year union organizer for United Steelworkers, currently works as a rapid response coordinator.
Over in District 4, Republican Craig Kenworthy is leading Democrat Julia Kocal by about 17 points. Kenworthy first attempted to secure a council position in 2000. His extensive community service includes roles on the Plan Commission since January 2025 and a 12-year tenure on the Porter County Park Board from 2010 to 2022. As the director of facility operations for East Porter County School Corporation, he continues his family tradition as a sixth-generation resident of Morgan Township.
Though not up for reelection this term, County Councilman Mike Brickner, a Republican holding an at-large position, recently lost his bid for County Commissioner against Democrat Kyle Nelson in preliminary counts. Brickner’s current council term is set to continue for two more years.
This article was reported by Shelley Jones, a freelance contributor to the Post-Tribune.
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