WARSAW – Cary Groninger is ready to launch his first campaign.

The 52-year-old Kosciusko County Commissioner, who was appointed by a Republican caucus to replace Ron Truex in 2017, announced plans this week to seek election to his first full term.

His appointment was the first foray into county government.  While there is a big learning curve to understanding the ins and outs of county government, Groninger said he has come to appreciate the work of county employees.

“I see it as a real opportunity for me to give back to the community that I love,” Groninger said this week.

Groninger is president of the family-owned G&G Hauling and Excavating, of Warsaw.

He said he feels he is – in some ways – uniquely qualified to serve as a commissioner because of his familiarity with many of the things, such as construction, that happen in county government and his business.

“I just overall felt called that this is what I need to be doing at this point in my life,” Groninger said. “We’re fortunate in the fact that we’ve got a county that is still growing. A lot of counties aren’t. I think we have a lot to be thankful for.”

He said he enjoys getting directly involved in projects.

Two issues he wants to see the county delve deeper into in the next year or so is the upgrading of the county’s emergency services radio communication. There is also an effort to establish online permitting for residents through the county.

Groninger is a board member for the drainage board, Michiana Area Council of Governments and is involved in the US 30 Coalition, which is looking at options for a new US 30 through Kosciusko County.

Groninger joins fellow commissioner Brad Jackson in quickly making plans clear about next year. Jackson announced Monday he will seek his seventh term in office.

Commissioner Bob Conley was re-elected last year to a four-year term.

Three at-large seats on County Council are also up for election in 2020. The current officeholders include Council President Sue Ann Mitchell, Kimberly Cates and Joni Truex.

Primary candidate filing begins Jan. 8 and ends at noon on Feb. 7 at noon.

The Kosciusko County Clerk’s website has a full list of county-related seats that are up for re-election in 2020.