Council Candidate Sells Home, Moves Out of District

Thaddeus Du Bois says he won't withdraw despite being ineligible to hold the seat.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:19pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty city council chamber, with warm, diagonal sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows casting across the empty desks and chairs, conveying a sense of uncertainty and unease.The quiet, empty council chambers reflect the uncertainty surrounding a candidate's eligibility to serve the district he no longer resides in.Warsaw Today

A candidate for Kosciusko County Council's District 1 seat, Thaddeus Du Bois, has sold his home in North Webster and is in the process of buying a new home south of Warsaw. This move would make him ineligible to hold the seat he is running for, but Du Bois says he has no plans to withdraw from the race.

Why it matters

This situation raises questions about election integrity and the responsibilities of candidates to reside within the districts they seek to represent. It also highlights the potential for voter confusion if a candidate who wins the primary is later found to be ineligible.

The details

Du Bois, who opposes the local sewer district, says he has not had time to fully research the implications of his move. The county clerk has stated that if Du Bois wins the primary but then moves out of the district, he would need to withdraw by July 15. Du Bois expressed hope that someone else could step in and run if he were to win and then withdraw.

  • Du Bois has sold his house in North Webster.
  • Du Bois is in the process of buying a new home south of Warsaw.
  • The primary election is scheduled for May 5, 2026.
  • If Du Bois wins the primary, he would need to withdraw by July 15, 2026.

The players

Thaddeus Du Bois

A candidate for Kosciusko County Council's District 1 seat who has sold his home in North Webster and is moving outside of the district he is running to represent.

Kimberly Cates

The incumbent Republican candidate for the Kosciusko County Council's District 1 seat.

Melissa Boggs

The Kosciusko County Clerk, who oversees elections in the county.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe some people don't think that's very funny, but no, I don't (plan to withdraw).”

— Thaddeus Du Bois, Candidate for Kosciusko County Council

“If I were to win, and I think everyone knows it's a longshot anyways, but jeez-o-pete, let's compete!”

— Thaddeus Du Bois, Candidate for Kosciusko County Council

What’s next

If Thaddeus Du Bois wins the primary election on May 5, 2026, he would need to withdraw from the race by July 15, 2026, due to no longer residing in the district he is running to represent.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the importance of candidates residing within the districts they seek to represent and the potential consequences of failing to do so. It also raises questions about the integrity of the electoral process and the responsibility of candidates to be transparent about their eligibility.