Kosciusko County Republican Chairman Mike Ragan with Rhonda Helser, the 2021 Kosciusko County Republican Woman of the Year. InkFreeNews photos by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

NORTH WEBSTER — Rhonda Helser was the recipient of the 2021 Kosciusko County Republican Woman of the Year. The award was presented at the 47th Annual Republican Hall of Fame Dinner, Thursday evening, Oct. 14.

Mike Ragan, county GOP chairman, in announcing this year’s Woman of the Year, described Helser as someone who has been very active in local politics and supported the party and events in many ways. Noting she was an elected official, he added she has worked hard in her office and the party was very proud to announce her as the Republican Woman of the Year.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun

Emotional with receiving the award, Helser stated, “I just feel really blessed to serve my community. I love serving my fellow Hoosiers in Kosciusko County. I was born and raised here. I’m just so blessed to be given this award. I wasn’t expecting it. Thank you so much.”

There was no Republican Man of the Year presented. Instead, Ragan honored Republican men who have died over the past five years. “A few weeks ago, I was at the Elkhart County Lincoln Day and they did something at that event that in my recollection we haven’t done. They honored Republicans that had passed away in the previous year. We’re not going to have a Republican Man of the Year. We’re going to honor these men, that I will be naming, that have passed away since I’ve been chairman.”

Those recognized were Judge David C. Cates, Prosecuting Attorney R. Steven Hearn, Terry A. Howie, Councilman Larry Neher, former Sheriff C. Alan Rovenstine, Councilman Robert G. Sanders, Councilman James D. Zachary, Jim Northenor, Terry Klondaris and Todd Haines.

“In the future we will not go by without recognizing those citizens who have worked so hard for the party and have gone on,” stated Ragan. A plaque will be placed in the party headquarters listing those recognized each year.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun was the keynote speaker. Ambassador Kip Tom introduced the senator recapping what all has taken place since the Jan. 20 inauguration and laid the groundwork for Braun’s address. “Our world changed. Our Republic came under a new threat,” Tom stated.

John Mort, commander of John C. Peterson Post 49, talks with Gold Star Wife Stephanie McKenzie.

Braun noted he came from a place similar to the local area, loaded with entrepreneurs and blue-collar workers working for minimum wages. He was blessed by the American dream and came from a place that believed in faith, family, community and hard work, never looking to a higher power to make his life. He noted there are a few senators who actually come from the trenches of conservatism.

Braun said he felt the country’s founders made a mistake by not instituting term limits, but they respected state rights. “Now the Democrats are trying to take that way including federalizing elections. That is their number one thing they want to get across the finish line…”

He touched on economics and how economic policies were working that were in place. “It was working as well as it ever had in the 37 years I was running my own business,” noting he had the tiger by the tail … with three of his four children returning to the family business.

Braun stressed the need for more individuals to take risks and not make every decision they do as senators in terms of what is going to be the easiest way to get re-elected. He noted the need for movers and shakers, people who respected freedoms and never love the government they created more than where they came from.

“Every time I’m in DC … I take every opportunity to push faith, family, community and limited government … Sadly we got to where we are by both parties doing the same thing. We as fiscal conservatives, lovers of liberty and freedom have to speak more loudly and make sure when we get the opportunity back, we’re not wallflowers and have the gumption to undo the craziness that may descend upon us.”