Former Porter County Council member Karen M. Martin of Valparaiso has announced her candidacy for Porter County Clerk on the Republican ticket.

In a press release, Martin cited her eight-year experience on the county council as well as a member of the Porter County Plan Commission. She also participated in the Porter County Jail Construction and Planning Committee, the Memorial Opera House Committee, Porter County Government Personnel Committee and other smaller groups in local and area government.

“While President of the Porter County Council, Karen directed office holders to plan and meet with assigned council members to streamline budgets, resolve issues, follow guidelines and properly prepare for the process,” states her press release. “That year a 3-4 week budget process was reduced to less than 13 hours. This same pro-active approach in planning and preparation is needed in the Clerk's office and will be her goal.”

Martin said the clerk’s office has added employees and new software “yet has not resolved the issues that exist in poor file maintenance and problems with docket entries.”

Martin, a 1973 graduate of Chesterton High School and a former small business owner, said she “understands the need for accountability and efficiency” and “the need for cooperation and contact with others.” She has also worked as a legal assistant, an office manager for a law firm and an instructor at the Paralegal Institute of Northwest Indiana. She is also a past district director for the Indiana Jaycees and has belonged to the Hebron and Valparaiso Jaycees.

Incumbent Porter County County Clerk Pam Fish, a Democrat, has filed for re-election.