Runyon Barrett to join council

Amy Runyon Barrett will get a five-month head start on her new job.

A Republican caucus on Tuesday selected Runyon Barrett, the lone candidate, to fill the Jay County Council District 2 seat being vacated by Bob Vance.

Runyon Barrett was already in line to take over the seat after winning a GOP primary race over Harold Towell in May. She is unopposed for November’s general election.

Vance, who is in the midst of his second term, chose not to run for re-election, and in June announced that he would be resigning his seat effective July 31 because he is moving out of the county.

“I’m running for this office and unopposed in the general election. This would allow me an early start,” said Runyon Barrett in a statement read by her mom, Jane Ann Runyon. “I’m eager to start learning and have been preparing since I decided to run for the position.” (Runyon Barrett could not be at the meeting because of a previously scheduled family vacation.

Runyon Barrett was the only candidate during Tuesday’s caucus. Mike Foreman had also filed an application, but he withdrew it last week.

Runyon Barrett’s first meeting as a council member will be Aug. 8.