On this episode of Region Republicans on WJOB, host Randy Neemeyer sits down with Chuck Messler, Republican candidate for Lake County Auditor, to discuss his background, his campaign, and his vision for improving the county's financial operations.

Messler, a lifelong Lake County resident and Local 1 ironworker, explains what motivated him to enter the race and why he believes the Auditor's Office needs greater transparency, accountability, professional standards, and financial oversight.

Messler also discusses his upcoming campaign fundraiser and his efforts to introduce himself to voters across Lake County.

Region Republicans is presented by the Lake County Republican Party and airs on WJOB 1230 AM / 104.7 FM.

📍 Guest: Chuck Messler, Candidate for Lake County Auditor
🎙️ Host: Randy Neemeyer
📻 Station: WJOB 1230 AM / 104.7 FM

Subscribe to WJOB 1230 for more local interviews, political discussions, podcasts and news from Northwest Indiana.

#LakeCounty #LakeCountyIndiana #ChuckMessler #LakeCountyAuditor #IndianaPolitics #NorthwestIndiana #NWI #LakeCountyRepublicans #WJOB #LocalPolitics #Election2026 #GovernmentAccountability

Indiana State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla joins Region Republicans on WJOB to discuss Indiana's finances, the state's budget surplus, tax revenue, retirement programs, government spending, and the growing national debt.

Nieshalla explains what the State Comptroller's Office does, including managing the accounting and reporting of Indiana's finances, handling state payroll and paying the state's bills. She also discusses Indiana's recently closed fiscal year, the state's surplus and reserves, and the economic growth that contributed to increased revenue.

The conversation also covers Hoosier START, Indiana's deferred compensation program for state employees, and efforts to strengthen retirement savings.

A major portion of the interview focuses on the national debt, which Nieshalla describes as a long-term concern for future generations. She discusses her work with the National Debt Crisis Task Force, efforts to involve state financial officers and legislators across the country, and a push for a long-term plan to address federal spending and debt.

The episode also highlights Indiana's efforts toward government transparency, including the Federal Funding Expenditures Dashboard (FED) and the Indiana Transparency Portal, which provide information about federal funds coming into the state.

On this episode of Region Republicans, host Bob Starkey sits down with Republican State Senate candidates Trevor DeVries and Jay Starkey following the Indiana Republican primary and state convention.

DeVries, running in State Senate District 1, and Starkey, running in State Senate District 6, discuss why they decided to enter politics, their backgrounds in the private sector and trades, and what they believe needs to change in Indiana.

The candidates talk about affordability, taxes, education, utility costs, government accountability, transparency, conservative leadership, and keeping elected officials connected to the communities they represent. They also share how their grassroots campaigns came together, the importance of door knocking and voter outreach, and their plans leading into the November election.

Hear directly from the Republican nominees as they discuss their vision for Northwest Indiana and the Indiana State Senate.

Region Republicans is presented by the Lake County Republican Party and airs on WJOB 1230 AM, 104.7 FM and online.

The 2026 election season is officially underway, and Region Republicans is shifting into candidate-focused coverage leading up to Election Day.

In this episode, host Bob Starkey recaps the recent Indiana Republican State Convention, where Republicans selected their nominees for several statewide offices, including Elise Nieshalla for State Comptroller, Daniel Elliott for State Treasurer, and Max Engling for Secretary of State.

The episode also looks ahead to what listeners can expect from Region Republicans between now and the November 3 election, including interviews with candidates running for local, county, state, and federal offices.

Topics discussed include:

🗳️ The Indiana Republican State Convention and the selection of the party's statewide nominees.

📍 How to prepare for the 2026 election, including checking voter registration, polling locations, and sample ballots.

🤝 Getting involved with the Lake County Republican Party, including local Republican club meetings and upcoming events.

💰 Campaign fundraising and grassroots organizing, including the importance of volunteers, yard signs, door hangers, social media, and campaign outreach.

🏛️ The importance of party unity after a primary, with a discussion about supporting the Republican nominees heading into the general election.

📋 Lake County's Republican candidates, including candidates for Congress, county offices, sheriff, county council, and other positions.

🎙️ What's coming next on Region Republicans, including upcoming interviews with candidates such as Barb Regnatz, Jay Starkey, and Trevor DeVries.

The episode also includes a special personal segment from Bob Starkey about the Lake County Lincoln Day Dinner, where he was recognized as the Lake County Republican Party's Republican of the Year and received the annual Elephant Award.

From the state convention to the campaign trail, this episode sets the stage for the next phase of Region Republicans, with candidate interviews and election coverage taking center stage through November.

Region Republicans is paid for by the Lake County Republican Party and airs on WJOB 1230 AM and 104.7 FM, with episodes also available on YouTube.

#RegionRepublicans #LakeCountyRepublicans #IndianaPolitics #IndianaGOP #NorthwestIndiana #NWI #2026Election #IndianaElection #LakeCounty #RepublicanParty #IndianaPolitics #Election2026 #WJOB #LakeCountyPolitics

Can Republicans flip Indiana's 1st Congressional District for the first time in generations?

In this episode of Region Republicans, Jim Dedelow sits down with Barb Regnatz, Republican candidate for Congress in Indiana's 1st Congressional District, to discuss her campaign, her background in business and local government, and her strategy for competing in the November general election.

Regnatz discusses her experience serving as a Porter County Commissioner, her previous career as a financial advisor and certified financial planner, and her time working in IT for United Airlines.

The conversation also explores:

🗳️ The 2026 Republican primary and why Regnatz believes this congressional race is winnable for Republicans.

📍 Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties and the changing political dynamics across Northwest Indiana.

🏛️ Redistricting in Indiana and how the decision not to redraw congressional districts affected the Republican strategy for Indiana's 1st District.

📈 Changing voter demographics, including population growth in southern Lake County and migration from Illinois into Northwest Indiana.

💰 Campaign organization and fundraising, including Regnatz's effort to build a large campaign operation capable of competing in a congressional race.

🇺🇸 Regnatz's campaign platform, including public safety, education, border security, election security, health, and economic prosperity.

📚 Financial literacy, including Regnatz's stated goal of pursuing legislation to teach young people about budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning.

Regnatz also talks about why she believes Republicans need to focus on winning the general election and building a campaign capable of competing against an entrenched Democratic incumbent.

Region Republicans is paid for by the Lake County Republican Party and features conversations about Republican candidates, campaigns, elections, and political issues affecting Northwest Indiana.

#RegionRepublicans #BarbRegnatz #IndianaPolitics #NorthwestIndiana #LakeCounty #PorterCounty #IndianaFirstDistrict #IndianaRepublicans #RepublicanPolitics #2026Election #CongressionalElection #NWI #LakeCountyPolitics

What would it take for Republicans to win Indiana's 1st Congressional District for the first time in decades?

In this episode of Region Republicans, host Bob Starkey sits down with Ben Ruiz, a Republican candidate for Congress in Indiana's 1st Congressional District, to discuss his campaign, his background, and his vision for Northwest Indiana.

Ruiz, who lives in East Chicago and has run for the same congressional seat in previous election cycles, shares why he believes his experience as a husband, father of six, and longtime Northwest Indiana resident gives him a unique connection to voters across the district.

The conversation covers:

🇺🇸 Ruiz's America First platform and his focus on economic growth, energy independence, manufacturing, and strengthening families.

🏠 Northwest Indiana's changing population, including people moving from Illinois and other states into the Region.

🗳️ The Republican primary and what Ruiz is hearing from voters as he campaigns throughout Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family values and community involvement, including Ruiz's belief that families and local communities play a central role in America's future.

⚡ Energy costs in Northwest Indiana and concerns surrounding rising utility prices.

🏛️ Indiana's congressional redistricting debate and Ruiz's perspective on why redistricting should have happened.

🤝 Republican Party unity after the primary, including why Ruiz believes Republicans need to come together behind their nominee once the primary election is over.

Ruiz also discusses his previous congressional campaigns, his efforts to connect with voters throughout the district, and why he believes Northwest Indiana is ready for political change.

Region Republicans is presented by the Lake County Republican Party and focuses on Republican candidates, policies, personalities, and political issues affecting Northwest Indiana.

Follow Ben Ruiz:
🌐 BenRuiz4Congress.com
📱 Facebook: Ben Ruiz for Congress
📱 X: @realbenruiz

#RegionRepublicans #BenRuiz #IndianaPolitics #NorthwestIndiana #LakeCounty #IndianaFirstDistrict #CongressionalDistrict1 #IndianaRepublicans #RepublicanPolitics #2026Election #NWI #FamilyValues #Redistricting

What happens when a national conservative organization brings its grassroots operation into a state that has long been considered safely Republican?

In this episode of Region Republicans, Bob Starkey sits down with Nathan Roberts of Turning Point Action to discuss the organization's growing presence in Indiana and its efforts to increase Republican voter turnout and elect conservative candidates.

Roberts explains why Turning Point Action is investing resources in Northwest Indiana and Lake County, including its focus on Indiana State Senate District 1 and Republican candidate Trevor DeVries.

The conversation covers:

🇺🇸 Turning Point Action's strategy in Indiana and why the organization is expanding beyond traditional swing states.

🗳️ Voter turnout and the challenge of reaching Republicans who may support conservative candidates but don't consistently participate in elections.

🚪 "Super Chase" events designed to mobilize volunteers for large-scale door-knocking campaigns ahead of the primary.

🤝 Grassroots coalitions focused on groups including men, moms, Gen Z, faith communities, farmers, Black Americans, Latino Americans, and others.

🏛️ Indiana's Republican supermajority and the debate over whether elected Republicans are consistently advancing conservative priorities.

📍 Lake County politics and the effort to increase Republican participation in a county that has historically leaned Democratic.

The episode also explores how increasing Republican turnout in State Senate District 1 could have implications beyond the state Senate race, including other congressional and local contests.

Roberts explains how listeners can get involved with Turning Point Action's Indiana efforts and participate in grassroots organizing ahead of the 2026 elections.

Region Republicans is paid for by the Lake County Republican Party and features conversations about Republican politics, candidates, elections, and grassroots activism throughout Northwest Indiana.

#RegionRepublicans #LakeCountyRepublicans #IndianaPolitics #NorthwestIndiana #NWI #TurningPointAction #IndianaRepublicans #LakeCounty #IndianaElections #2026Elections #RepublicanPolitics #VoterTurnout #GrassrootsPolitics #StateSenate

Region Republican Host Bob Starkey kicks of 2026 with his Candidate Series. First up, Trevor De Vries, candidates for Indiana State Senate District 1.