Republican to Challenge Marla Irving

Local businessman Bill Brown will challenge incumbent County Commissioner Marla Irving in next May's Republican primary. Though he has yet to make an official announcement, Brown confirmed his candidacy when contacted late Thursday. He said he plans to formally announce next week.

Brown has already formed an exploratory committee, notifying the Allen County Election Board of its existence on October 28th.

Brown founded Summit City Electric in 1978 and continues to lead the company today.

Brown was appointed by Mayor Graham Richard to the Northeast Indiana Workforce Investment Board and the Urban Enterprise Association's board of directors. Financial records indicate Brown has donated to Republican State Representative Randy Borror's campaign, and he has been described as a Republican contributor who frequently attends GOP events.

Irving was selected to complete the term of Commissioner Jack McComb, who died in office in August 2000. She was elected to a full term in 2002, running unopposed in the Republican primary and defeating Democrat Angie Carl, a 28 year-old naturalist at the Fox Island Nature Center, in the general election.