Retiring State Senator Brandt Hershman was recognized for his service by the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Saturday at the Legislative Breakfast held at Wesley Manor’s Harmony Hall.
Hershman was presented a plaque by Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shan Sheridan and received a standing ovation from the capacity crowd attending the event.
“I’m certainly going to miss all the people in Clinton County,” said Hershman. “The crowd here today is just reflective of all the good people in the community and it speaks well for the future of Frankfort and Clinton County.”
Hershman was asked why he decided to retire now.
“It was a good time for me personally and my family,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 18 years and I was proud of what I accomplished for the community and the state. I just felt it was time to let a new voice in.”
Hershman officially retired from the Senate on Jan. 2. He will be joining Barnes & Thornburg as a practicing attorney in the firm’s Washington D.C. office.
Three possible candidates to replace Hershman were in attendance. They were Ed Cripe, who is the assistant chief of the Frankfort Fire Department and served eight years as Clinton County Coroner; Brian Buchanan, who lives in northern Boone County and is a Boone County Council member; and Arvid Olson, who is the director of development with Faith Ministries in Lafayette.
Other candidates previously mentioned by WLFI are Art Anderson, who lives in Monticello and is on the White County Council; Steve Jordan, who lives on a farm east of Rensselaer that has been in his family for more than 100 years and has been a Jasper County Council member since 2010; and Shelli Maxwell, who lives in rural Rensselaer and is general manager for Fireworks Over America.
Two others from Clinton County were rumored to be possible candidates, including Mayor Chris McBarnes and Clinton County Council President and Airport Authority Board President Alan Dunn. However, McBarnes declined an offer and Dunn elected not to seek the position.
Hershman’s replacement is expected to be named Jan. 25. That term continues through 2020.