Sarah Larson, one of the candidates for the vacant at-large Monroe County Council seat, withdrew from consideration Tuesday, according to a statement to the Indiana Daily Student and Monroe County Democratic Party.
Now, eight candidates remain. Monroe County Democratic Central Committee Precinct Committeepersons will choose one of them at a caucus Jan. 19 to fill the council vacancy left after Councilor Cheryl Munson’s death in December.
Larson told the IDS and the Monroe County Democratic Party that she is ending her candidacy due to new obligations at her job. She’s currently program coordinator at the Indiana Rural Health Association.
“Thank you to folks who took my calls, responded to my emails, and shared with me their hope for the future of the Monroe County Council,” Larson wrote. “It was a pleasure connecting with people who truly care about Monroe County.”
David Henry, Monroe County Democratic Party chair and recently elected county councilor, said the caucus delay caused by Sunday and Monday’s snowstorm allowed both the party and candidates to consider the viability of the names that have come forward.
In a prior interview with the IDS, Larson said she wanted to see better communication between the council and commissioners and other county departments. She also said she wanted to improve public health, encourage more park development and expand public transportation.
She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health from Purdue and IU respectively. Larson previously worked at IU and the Monroe County Health Department. She also served on the Monroe County Substance Use Disorder Awareness Commission and multiple bicycling organizations.
“Monroe County has an excellent slate of candidates to serve as a county councilor and I wish all candidates the best of luck in the upcoming caucus,” Larson wrote in the statement.
