ChamberPAC-endorsed Candidates Win Big on November 8 Election Day 82% Accuracy Rate Achieved
For the first time, ChamberPAC, the Political Action Committee of The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, endorsed candidates in municipal races with 14 of its 17 endorsed candidates being elected, an 82% winning percentage. In South Bend, six of the eight endorsed candidates were elected, and in Mishawaka, eight of the nine candidates were elected. All three of the Mishawaka Common Council At-Large candidates endorsed by ChamberPAC won election.
“Overall, we are pleased with the election results,” said Sheri Miller Story, director of public policy for The Chamber. “We believe that these results are a clear indication that our area communities are seeking to effect change, demanding that our elected officials lead with the ‘greater good in mind.’ We look forward to working collaboratively with all of the newly elected candidates to move Mishawaka and South Bend toward a more welcoming environment for business growth,” said Miller Story.
In making the endorsements, a Political Evaluation Committee (PEC) comprised of a bipartisan group of 13 business leaders with business interests in both South Bend and Mishawaka met to spearhead the endorsement process. The process consisted of key components, which paralleled that of a job interview: the application, first interview, second interview and endorsement/hiring. The first three steps of the process included the completion of a candidate questionnaire (job application), an interview with PEC members (first interview) followed by participation at a “meet and greet” for council candidates and a forum for mayoral candidates (second interview) hosted in each city. More than 600 hours were devoted to the evaluation process of the candidates.
The winners. A dot indicates that the candidate was endorsed by ChamberPAC.
South Bend:
•Mayor Pete Buttigieg
•At-Large Derek Dieter
•At-Large Gavin Ferlic
•At-Large Karen White
District 1 Tim Scott
•District 3 Valerie Schey
District 4 Fred Ferlic
•District 5 Dave Varner
Endorsements were not made in South Bend Districts2 and 6, and in Mishawaka District 5.
Mishawaka
•Mayor Dave Wood
•At-Large John Roggeman
•At-Large Matt Mammolenti
•At-Large Dan Bilancio
•District 1 Woody Emmons
•District 2 Mike Bellovich
District 3 John Reisdorf
•District 4 Marsha McClure
•District 6 Ron Banicki
