Small town, rural America helped elect Donald Trump. And Greentown, a community of less than 2,500 people, was one of those places where voters threw their support behind the president, with 77 percent casting their ballots in his favor.

PERU – Miles Hewitt, a 38-year veteran of the Peru Police Department and political newcomer, soundly defeated two other candidates Tuesday to win the Republican bid for Peru mayor.

TIPTON – Brett Curnutt, a long-time member of the Tipton City Council and Board of Works, defeated Tipton County Assessor Jason Henderson in the Republican bid for the city’s mayor.

The general consensus at Howard County Republican Party headquarters Tuesday night was that the primary was a team effort, and that was also true when it came to the five city council at-large candidates. 

TIPTON – Tipton County Prosecutor Jay Rich, currently seeking reelection for his fourth term as county prosecutor, will be running against Democratic candidate Justin Clouser in the 2018 general election.

PERU – Jeff Sinkovics, Miami County chief deputy prosecutor, has filed his candidacy for Miami County prosecuting attorney in the May primary election on the Republican ticket.

PERU – Tamara Geiselman, the Miami County first deputy clerk and an Army veteran, has declared her candidacy for Miami County clerk as a Republican in the May primary election.

PERU – Peru Police Chief Mike Meeks has announced he is running for Miami County sheriff in the May primary election as an independent candidate.

PERU – Karen LeMaster, a longtime Miami County deputy assessor, has announced her candidacy for Miami County Assessor on the Republican ticket in the May primary election.

PERU -- Rick Brown, an Indiana State Police sergeant and Air Force veteran, has announced he is running for Miami County sheriff in the 2018 primary election on the Republican ticket.