The Porter County Council is expected to maintain its political balance following recent election results. Early polling indicated an equal split between Democrats and Republicans in the four council races.
Council Unopposed Vice President Red Stone, representing District 1, secured a second term unopposed.
District 2 Democrat Brian Gulley leads Republican Spencer Lemmons by nearly 25 points. The outcome will be confirmed by November 13. Gulley, a former Portage City Council member, served from 2020 to 2023, but did not win reelection. Gulley, associated with the United Auto Workers, replaces Councilman Democrat Jeremy Rivas, who decided against another term.
District 3 Democrat Jack Tipold holds a 16-point lead over Republican Dawn Miller. Tipold, an Air Force veteran, works as a rapid response coordinator for the United Steelworkers and has been a union organizer for 33 years.
District 4 Republican Craig Kenworthy leads Democrat Julia Kocal by nearly 17 points. Kenworthy, who unsuccessfully ran for an at-large council seat in 2000, retired as a pipefitter from Local 597 that year. He has been part of the Plan Commission since January 2025 and served on the Porter County Park Board from 2010 to 2022. Currently, he is the director of facility operations for East Porter County School Corporation and is a sixth-generation Morgan Township resident.
Additional Race Outcome County Councilman Mike Brickner, a Republican at-large member, ran for County Commissioner but lost to Democrat Kyle Nelson. Brickner’s council term continues for two more years.
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