EVANSVILLE — Ken Colbert and Cheryl Batteiger-Smith, leaders of an insurgency that threatens to topple Vanderburgh County Republican chairman Mike Duckworth, are forbidden to run for elected office under the GOP banner until 2030.
It is the same punishment meted out to Michael Daugherty by the 8th District Republican Congressional Committee Monday night after it heard complaints filed by Duckworth.
Daugherty, Colbert and Batteiger-Smith are critical of Duckworth, calling for his removal as GOP chairman.
The four-member 8th District GOP committee found Daugherty, who ran for mayor of Evansville as a Libertarian in 2023, "is not a Republican in Good Standing for all Republican Party matters until December 31, 2029."
According to Linda Painter, Knox County-based treasurer of the 8th District committee, that means Daugherty, Colbert and Batteiger-Smith are forbidden under party rules to seek any elected office as a Republican until that date.
Painter said the 8th District GOP's vote against Daugherty, Colbert and Batteiger-Smith was unanimous. The members of the committee are:
• Posey County resident Brenda Goff, district director for 8th District Congressman Larry Bucshon, chair;
• Jon Winkler, chairman of the Spencer County Republican Party, vice chair;
• Mike Myers, secretary of the Daviess County GOP, secretary; and
• Painter, treasurer of the Knox County GOP, treasurer.
Colbert and Batteiger-Smith did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday morning.
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