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Schaetzle vows to keep working with Democrats despite GOP ban

Dan Schaetzle
Dan Schaetzle

He’s been ostracized by his party but Republican St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle says he’s undeterred in his mission to work with Democrats.

The Republican Party’s 2nd District Congressional Committee says Schaetzle is no longer in “Good-Standing.” The party defines “good standing” as, “a Republican who supports Republican nominees and who does not actively or openly support another candidate against a Republican nominee.”

That resulted from Schaetzle refusing to endorse Republican Probate Judge nominee Loris Zappia.

The party formally censured Schaetzle at a January 31 hearing. Schaetzle says he couldn’t attend because his son was having surgery but he was represented by his attorney. The party says their action means that Schaetzle cannot associate with the party, attend events or run for office as a Republican.

Schaetzle has infuriated some in the party by forging a power-sharing agreement, one they’re calling “Common Cause,” with minority Democrats on the 5-4 Republican majority council. Schaetzle says state law will allow him to seek re-election in two years if he wants to and he’ll fight the censure in court if he has to.

He said the censure won’t affect the slate of policies that he and council Democrats plan to pursue this year.

“In fact it probably makes me more determined to get these things done for the people of this county in the next two years,” Schaetzle said. “We’re focused on economic development, more efficient government and infrastructure, and I think Democrat or Republican those are things that people want to see.”

Parrott, a longtime public radio fan, comes to WVPE with about 25 years of journalism experience at newspapers in Indiana and Michigan, including 13 years at The South Bend Tribune. He and Kristi have two children currently attending Indiana University in Bloomington. In his free time he enjoys fixing up their home, following his favorite college and professional sports teams, and watching TV (yes that's an acceptable hobby).