Rein O. Bontreger seeks re-election to Jasper County Commission
Incumbent president seeks GOP nomination in May 5 primary
Rein O. Bontreger, incumbent president of the Jasper County Commission, is seeking the Republican nomination for re-election to his seat representing District 3 for a four-year term.
The primary election will be held on May 5, and early voting already has begun.
Bontreger was first elected to the Jasper County Commission in 2022. Prior to serving on the commission, he spent 14 years on the Jasper County Council, where he spent eight years as president.
Before he transitioned to the county commission, he was recognized by his fellow councilmembers for “exemplary leadership on the council.”
Bontreger is also vice chairman of the board of directors for the Jasper County Economic Development organization, and he is a member of the county drainage board.,”
“Rein O. Bontreger has demonstrated a clear commitment to conservative principles, particularly the protection of private property as the foundation of a strong and thriving community,” says Charlie Kolean, executive director of the Private Property Rights Institute.
In a Facebook post announcing his re-election campaign, Bontreger offered insight into what has motivated him to serve on the Jasper County Commission.
“Working with my fellow commissioners and the county council and the other county officials and employees reminds me (every day) to keep our county rivalries limited to high school sports,” Bontreger wrote. “As a part of the team, we are working for the county as a whole and want to see each community to thrive.
“Collaboration, civility and straightforward sincerity have been my guiding principles … if re-elected that would be the way I continue interact and communicate.”
In addition to serving Jasper County in a governmental capacity, Bontreger and his wife Suzie own and operate Reinforcements Design, a custom sign and graphics business they opened in 1985.
On the company website, it emphasizes that “because we’re a small business ourselves, we understand the challenges our clients face — and we’re passionate about helping businesses of all sizes, from startups to large organizations and schools, bring their ideas to life.”
Since 2018, Bontreger also has ran Cylinders and Snacks, a weekly event throughout the spring and summer that brings the community together through a shared love of cars and camaraderie.
Per Indiana code, the county commission serves as the county’s executive body. Responsibilities include maintaining county property, supervising revenue collection and disbursements/expenditures, submitting an annual budget to the county council, and negotiating contracts. The commission comprises three members who are elected to staggered four-year terms.