When a replacement was named for Fishers City Council member Samantha DeLong, the Hamilton County Democratic Party held what was described as a caucus of party precinct officials Sunday, April 25th.  Below is the exact text of the news release local Democrats issued that day:

“This afternoon, a caucus of precinct officials met and Crystal Neumann
was selected to the Fishers City Council. Neumann will succeed outgoing Councilor, Samantha DeLong, to represent the North Central District on the council through the end of 2023.”

Reading that release would lead one to believe the precinct officials gathering for that caucus had elected Ms. Neumann.  However, a piece published Thursday by my news-gathering partner, The Hamilton County Reporter, tells a different story.

Here is the Reporter story, as written by Fred Swift:

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It was supposed to be a caucus, but it became simply an appointment.

Fishers Democratic precinct committeemen in the North Councilmanic District were called to fill a city council vacancy when Samantha DeLong resigned her seat due to a planned move out of state.

The caucus vote was planned for last Sunday, but party officials found that committeemen had not been certified as required by state election law.

In the absence of properly certified committeemen, the county chairwoman, Dayna Colbert, was entitled to appoint a replacement for Ms. DeLong. She appointed Crystal Neumann and forwarded the paperwork to County Clerk Kathy Williams.

Whether there would have been a caucus contest for the seat was not disclosed.

Both DeLong and Neumann are Democrats, and under state law the party which elects a local official is allowed to pick a successor when a vacancy occurs.

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So it appears that Ms. Neumann was not elected by a caucus of precinct officials, but appointed by Democratic County Chair Dayna Colbert.

I have requested comment from Ms. Colbert, but as of this posting, have not received a response.