NEWS

Gard now officially out of mayoral race

Bill Engle
bengle@richmond.gannett.com

The off-again-on-again Libertarian candidate for mayor of Richmond formally has withdrawn her name from the race.

Kamara Gard on Wednesday officially withdrew from the mayoral race in the Nov. 3 election, filing the paperwork at the Wayne County Clerk’s Office.

In an email to the Palladium-Item, Gard said she was withdrawing to “seek the Libertarian nomination for the office of Indiana Superintendent of Education in April 2016.”

She could not immediately be reached by phone for comment.

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Last week, Wayne County Clerk Debbie Berry declared Gard ineligible to serve if elected mayor because Gard mistakenly had moved out of the city.

On Friday, Gard said she would withdraw. On Tuesday, she refused to do so after meeting with Berry.

At that point, her name was to appear on the ballot with the names of Republican Kyle Ingram and Democrat Dave Snow.

Now, Berry must have the city’s voting machines reprogrammed to remove Gard’s name.

Berry’s staff also must send letters to the 126 residents who already have cast absentee ballots and ask them if they would like a replacement ballot, one without Gard’s name for mayor.

Berry’s staff also must contact the 45 citizens who voted absentee at the Wayne County Courthouse and ask if they too would like a replacement ballot.

Berry said she was not sure of the cost involved nor how long it will take to reprogram the voting machines.

“We’re talking to our vendor right now,” she said. “I don’t think the cost is that great. It’s mostly just staff time.

“But to us, it’s a nightmare,” Berry said. “Anytime you get out of your rhythm it makes this process a little more difficult. But we will protect the integrity of the election. We will address this and serve the voter as best we can and move forward.”

Gard initially ran in the Democratic primary for a Richmond Common Council at-large seat. When she lost in the primary, she switched to the Libertarian Party and filed for mayor.

She said she misread an old Richmond city directory when she decided to move to the 3600 block of National Road West on Sept. 1.

The city limits end at the 3200 block of that road.

Staff writer Bill Engle: (765) 973-4481 or bengle@pal-item.com. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/billengle_PI.