Dubois GOP Sets Precinct-Caucus to Fill Jasper Mayor Vacancy
The Dubois County Republican Party announced a precinct-caucus to choose a replacement to finish Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide’s term, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2026, in the Pfaffenweiler Room at Jasper City Hall. Prospective candidates must file state forms CEB-5 and CAN-12 with the county party chair by 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 13, 2026; the caucus will be closed to the public with media admitted after the selection for statements.
On January 5, the Dubois County Republican Party released details for a precinct-caucus that will select a person to serve the remainder of Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide’s term. The meeting is set for 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, in the Pfaffenweiler Room at Jasper City Hall. The party has established candidate-filing requirements and a firm deadline to ensure eligibility.
Candidates seeking consideration must complete state-required forms CEB-5 and CAN-12 and deliver them to the county party chair by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, which is 72 hours prior to the caucus. The caucus itself will be closed to the public; media representatives will be allowed access only after the caucus concludes to receive announcements and statements from the party.
The process is an internal party mechanism to fill a municipal vacancy and therefore bypasses a citywide special election. For residents of Jasper and Dubois County, the party-selected appointee will assume mayoral responsibilities for the balance of the existing term, with implications for daily municipal operations, local budgeting decisions, project timelines and representation in county and regional discussions. Decisions made in the weeks after the appointment may shape staffing, permitting, and council priorities, so the identity of the successor will have tangible effects on city governance.
Because the caucus is restricted to party procedures, those interested in candidate status or in observing official statements should plan to follow local media after the caucus concludes. Community members who wish to engage with the process or express priorities for the remainder of the mayoral term can reach out to elected city council members and the Dubois County Republican Party leadership for guidance on available avenues for participation.
Local municipal transitions like this also connect to broader patterns of civic continuity and public trust. Transparent adherence to filing deadlines, public notice of time and place, and post-caucus access for media contribute to procedural legitimacy. Jasper residents will now watch how the county party’s selection affects city initiatives and community services through the close of the current mayoral term.
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