(Greensburg, IN) – Former Decatur County Council member Melanie Nobbe has been appointed to fill the current late ballot vacancy in County Council District 2.
The vacancy was created when Bryan Messer, who won the Republican the District 2 council primary in May, moved out of the district.
Messer told WRBI he and his wife had a great opportunity to buy a farm they had always wanted, but it happened to be about a mile outside the district.
“I had to drop out of the race,” Messer said. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s just the casualty of it, I suppose.”
Harter said formal paperwork stating Messer intended to make his domicile elsewhere came through two weeks, and the party chairman cannot act until that paperwork is filed.
Harter said the move was not known at the time of the primary.
In appointing Nobbe, Harter says a deliberate process was followed that included conferring with the precinct committeemen who represent this district, which is made up of Greensburg 6, 7, 8 and the unincorporated parts of Washington Township .
“We were incredibly fortunate to have a diverse group of highly qualified applicants step forward for this position,” said Decatur County GOP Chairman Nate Harter. “Every single individual who applied brought a rich background, unique professional expertise, and a genuine desire to serve Decatur County. Reviewing these applications made this an exceptionally difficult decision, and I want to personally pay tribute to each applicant for their commitment to our community.”
Ultimately, filling this vacancy required a careful strategic balance, Harter said. The choice of Nobbe is intended to respect the dynamic momentum and clear will of the 2026 primary voters seeking fresh perspectives, while simultaneously anchoring the council with the continuity of experienced leadership necessary to navigate an uncertain upcoming season. he said.
“Melanie Nobbe uniquely bridges that gap,” Harter added. “She possesses the institutional knowledge needed to hit the ground running on day one, yet she remains an independent voice who will be entirely focused on the work of the people.”
Beyond her prior work in county budget management, Nobbe currently serves as the county Republican Party Secretary, manages the party’s annual 4-H fair booth, and has been heavily involved with the Decatur County chapter of the Indiana Federation of Republican Women (IFRW).
While only one appointment could be made to this specific seat, county GOP leaders say all applicants are strongly encouraged to remain involved in county affairs and to seek out the many additional avenues available to lead and serve the community.
Nobbe will not appear on any of the Tuesday, November 3 General Election ballots.
