Roswarski endorses Byers in commissioners race

The mayor and commissioner are on the same page on a variety of issues, including economic development over the last decade.

But they differ on the county's controversial needle exchange program

Made in a county commissioner's race.

And it's proof of the gray area between democrat and republican in tippecanoe county.

News 18's joe paul is standing by live outside lafayette city hall.

He joins us now to tell us about the mayor's endorsement.

It's rare to see politicians work across the aisle these days.

But it's a common occurence in tippecanoe county's local politics.

The lafayette mayor tells me he's in agreement with dave byers on a variety issues.

But they've butted heads on at least one controversial program.

"local government is about getting the right people into the right positions, and it really shouldn't be about politics."

The line between left and right tends to blur when it comes to politics in tippecanoe county.

Lafayette's democratic mayor tony roswarski is endorsing long-time republican county commissioner and dave byers.

Byers is running for reelection against democrat erica beumel.

"i think you could definitely look at tippecanoe county as a whole, we've all tried to work together and really the rs or ds or is have all been kind of check at the border line."

The mayor and commissioner are on the same page on a variety of issues.

That includes economic development over the last decade.

But they differ on the county's controversial needle exchange program.

Byers has voted for the program designed to curb the spread of diseases among opioid users.

"if we can get them into the door and we can get them to treatment, we can get them headed in the right direction, and then i'm hoping we're doing the right thing."

Roswarski says he's opposed to the program's location in a central lafayette neighborhood.

"no, i wouldn't say that we agree on that exactly, but that's the other important thing, we can agree to disagree and still stay civil."

Roswarski is up for reelection in 2023.

But he isn't concerned about how his endorsement could affect his campaign.

"i think they've appreciated the bipartisan approach that i've taken and the way i work across the aisle with people."

I spoke with beumel on the phone today.

She wasn't available for an on-camera interview.

She says she's disappointed by roswarski's endorsement.

But she's focusing on her campaign platform, which includes enviromental protection and food security.

Reporting live in lafayett joe paul, news 18.

An update to a story we brought you yesterday..

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