Commissioner will not seek re-election

St. Joseph County Commissioner Gerald Loudenslager announced Monday he will not be seeking re-election after his current term expires at the end of the year.

The 67-year-old Loudenslager said with the county commission dropping from seven members to five in 2013, he does not wish to run against Rick Shaffer to represent a newly redrawn district that consolidates portions of their two current districts.

Loudenslager said he will instead run for supervisor of Nottawa Township. The position is currently occupied by his son, Kurt, who will not be seeking re-election to that post in November.

Loudenslager submitted his paperwork for the four-year Nottawa Township position Monday, according to county clerk Pattie Bender.