Indiana GOP Upholds Shunning of St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle

Official picture of St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle

By Hoosier Enquirer

In a decisive move, Indiana Republican Party leaders have upheld a local party decision to strip St. Joseph County Council President Dan Schaetzle of his “good standing” status, escalating tensions within the party. The state committee’s vote on Thursday, June 12, 2025, affirmed a February ruling by the party’s 2nd District Committee, citing Schaetzle’s refusal to endorse Republican Loris Zappia for probate judge in the November 2024 election. However, the broader conflict stems from Schaetzle’s controversial power-sharing agreement with the council’s four Democrats, which secured his position as council president—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from fellow Republicans.

Official Document from IN GOP

The state committee’s ruling means Schaetzle will remain “not in good standing” with the Indiana GOP for at least two years. During this period, he is barred from serving as a Republican precinct committeeman and will lose access to the party’s proprietary tools and resources, effectively isolating him from core party operations. The decision marks a rare and public rebuke of a sitting elected official, highlighting deep divisions within the St. Joseph County Republican Party. Some of which, especially this one, have involved the Attorney Tom Dixon, Attorney for the Respondent in the instant case. Dixon once defended a serious ethics complaint before the Indiana Supreme Court -- his own defense.

On Friday, the council’s four other Republican members—Randy Figg, Andy Rutten, Amy Drake, and Joe Thomas (correction)—issued a joint statement urging local media to refer to Schaetzle as a Republican “not in good standing” in all future coverage. The statement underscored their frustration with Schaetzle’s actions, particularly the bipartisan deal that they view as a betrayal of party loyalty. “Dan’s decision to align with Democrats for personal gain has consequences,” the statement read.

“We expect the press to reflect his current status accurately,” it expressly stated.

Schaetzle’s power-sharing agreement with Democrats, struck in early 2024, allowed him to secure the council presidency despite the council’s 5-4 Republican majority. Critics within the party argue that the deal undermined Republican priorities and diluted the party’s influence on key council decisions.

Schaetzle, however, has defended his actions, stating that the agreement was necessary to ensure effective governance and avoid gridlock on the council. He appealed the 2nd District Committee’s February ruling, arguing that his refusal to endorse Loris Zappia was a matter of principle, not disloyalty. Loris Zappia was involved in a nasty public debate with his own brother, Len Zappia who was a former St. Joseph County Republican Chairman who was employed as a magistrate judge by the incumbent Democrat Probate Commission Judge at the time. The state committee’s rejection of his appeal signals a firm stance against such independent maneuvers by officeholders.

The ruling raises questions about Schaetzle’s political future. It remains unclear whether he will be eligible to run for re-election as a Republican in 2026, as party bylaws may restrict candidates not in good standing from appearing on the GOP primary ballot. Schaetzle has not yet publicly announced his plans, leaving room for speculation about whether he might run as an independent or step away from politics altogether.

Adding to the drama, former council member and council attorney and a University of Notre Dame teaching CPA, Jamie O’Brien, has already declared his intention to challenge Schaetzle for the District C seat in 2026. O’Brien, a conservative with the unlikely Notre Dame pedigree and who happens to be a long-time friend and law partner with Len Zappia, has publically criticized Schaetzle as “out of touch” with his constituents, accusing him of prioritizing personal ambition over the needs of St. Joseph County residents. Professor O’Brien’s candidacy is likely to intensify the GOP’s efforts to reclaim the seat and reinforce party unity, in a county that has a history of party in fighting and some believing that at many times the party was controlled by democrats posing as GOP activist.

The St. Joseph Republican Party has run off many talented and exceptional conservative candidates in the county for decades -- at least since 1992. With the exception of electing Chris Toth as Prosecutor (defeating a very corrupt and globe-trotting, Michael Barnes) until recently the party was underwhelming and ineffective. National trends have helped the county, but bringing in UAW workers at a future GM electric battery plant in New Carsisle in western St. Joseph Co. by the thousands may prove to be a mistake by current Republican Commissioners, especially Carl Baxmeyer, who was, himself, a registered Democrat in LaPorte County before being hired by and working for former Congressman John P. Hiler of LaPorte in his South Bend District office in the 1980s, and then marrying that former Congressman's former scheduling secretary, who herself served on the 2nd GOP Committee for decades. To many, it is no wonder the line between both parties are blurred in the county, which as one of the only appointed court systems in Indiana where most judges are appointed, save the probate and circuit court judges. Schaetzle and his majority coalition may want to address that anomaly out of spite now.

The current controversy has sparked debate among local voters, with some praising Schaetzle’s willingness to work across party lines and others condemning his actions as a violation of Republican values. Social media posts on X reflect the polarized sentiment, with one user calling Schaetzle “a pragmatic leader who gets things done” and another labeling him “a RINO who sold out his party for a title.”

As St. Joseph County heads toward the 2026 election cycle, the fallout from Schaetzle’s shunning could reshape the local Republican landscape. For now, the state committee’s decision sends a clear message: party loyalty remains paramount, and those who stray risk severe consequences.

Disclaimer: This article is based on information provided and reflects the perspectives of the involved parties. For further details, readers are encouraged to consult primary sources or contact the St. Joseph County Republican Party.