The Porter County Republicans have ushered in a group of new, young leadership following the retirement of former chair Michael Simpson who stepped down after helming the party for 12 years.

“I think Nate Uldricks will do an exceptional job,” he said of the Pine Township Board chair who will replace him. Uldricks was selected to lead the party March 1.

“This wasn’t on my radar,” said Uldricks, who grew up in Portage and now lives in Beverly Shores. “I’ve just been active trying to get more people involved. I had some people reach out to me over the summer.”

County Councilwoman Michelle Harris, At-large, of Valparaiso, was voted the party’s vice president. Charisa Childers, who lost her bid for Portage City Council by a thin margin in 2023, will serve as secretary, and Valparaiso resident Nicole Baker, who also lost a primary bid last year for county council, will serve as treasurer.

Porter County Council Vice President Red Stone, R-1st, had praise for both the old and new guard. “Personally, I think Michael did a great job. He’s a good man.” And he thinks it’s time for a new generation to step in. “They’re smart and they’re classy and they’re workhorses, man,” he added.

“All of us are under the age of 50,” Uldricks said. “We have a Young Republicans chapter. At our meetings, you’re seeing more and more young people. In fact, they probably bring the most energy.”

He said there are quite a few people in their early ‘20s getting involved. “The 2024 election has given the Republican Party a lot of momentum,” he added. “People want to be involved. People are energized.”Uldricks said the Porter County Republican Party is “not super-idealogical. It’s practical.” That translates to a focus on low taxes, low crime and good schools. “That’s kind of the good life, right?” he asked. “People are proud of Northwest Indiana, Porter County, America.”

Simpson, who was elected for three consecutive four-year terms in 2013, ‘17, and ‘21, agrees with Uldricks that the main focus for Porter County Republicans moving forward is growing the volunteer base and participation level among residents. He said that means “knocking on more doors and getting more people to come out and vote.”

He’s proud of those who have been doing the work already.

“I think our team of volunteers did a yeoman’s job over the last 12 years,” he said. “We’ve captured the majority of county offices, township offices, city offices. We’ve made Porter County pretty red.”

Simpson still plans to be involved, “but I won’t have to run lots of meetings,” he said of the four districts that each hold monthly meetings in the county. He’s following activity at the State House and reading bills as they trade houses. “The bills that have died, I’m glad they did,” he said.

Uldricks said he hasn’t had a lot of conversations with folks about specific bills though, “Republicans who are especially active care deeply about their communities,” he said. “This year we’re going to do a lot of blocking and tackling, getting people involved.”

Porter County Democratic Party Chair Don Craft is maintaining his post for another four-year term. Party chairs are selected the March after a presidential election.

Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.