(La Porte County, IN) - Already removed from the May primary ballot, a local official could face a long-term ban from running for elected office as a Republican.

 

La Porte County Commissioner Rich Mrozinski had his name taken off the Republican May primary ballot by the La Porte County Election Board on Friday, the latter citing a violation in the required documents he had to file to become a candidate and him being a Republican not in good standing with the local party’s central committee.

 

In addition, La Porte County Republican Party Chairman Allen Stevens said that the party is seeking to ban Mrozinski from running for office as a Republican for ten years.

 

Stevens said one reason behind this is Mrozinski donated to the campaign of Democrat Sheila Matias in 2022. 

 

“That is a clear violation of the Republican state party rules,” he said.

 

Matias, who was seeking a second term as a La Porte County Commissioner, was soundly defeated by now-County Commission President Connie Gramarossa.

 

Stevens noted another reason for seeking the 10-year ban is that Mrozinski was removed as an official member of the local party that same year for public criticism and other acts of defiance against fellow republicans. He said a hearing on the proposed long-term ban is scheduled before the District 1 Republican Central Committee at its office in Valparaiso on March 11th.

 

So far, attempts to reach Mrozinski for comment have been unsuccessful.