Cheryl Musgrave resigns from presidency of Vanderburgh commissioners
EVANSVILLE — Vanderburgh County Commissioner Cheryl Musgrave left her role as president of the Vanderburgh County Commissioners on Tuesday, saying she "no longer" desired to lead the board.
She'll be classified as a "member" for the rest of her term, which expires at the end of the year.
Up until Tuesday afternoon, Musgrave, a Republican, has been serving as commission president. Republican Justin Elpers had been vice president and Democrat Mike Goebel has been the third member of the board, without a leadership position.
But at the commission's 3 p.m. meeting, that changed. Elpers will now serve as president, and Goebel as vice president.
In a statement to the Courier & Press, Musgrave said she thanks everyone for their support during her "incredibly productive" 17 months as president.
"I've enjoyed a wonderful presidency where world-class Internet was installed for every property in the unincorporated county, major road projects are under construction a major trail is nearing completion new playgrounds construction, a new effort to create a watershed for Pigeon Creek, and the start to repairs to the Coliseum," she said.
Musgrave was not present at Tuesday's meeting − a planned absence for a vacation. But she requested the decision be made while she was not there.
In an email to the other commissioners and the board's staff, Musgrave asked that "election of officers" be placed on the agenda Tuesday.
"I no longer desire to serve as an officer and request that I be classified as 'member,'" she stated.
The decision comes a week after she lost the May 7 Republican primary to political newcomer Amy Canterbury, and a year after Musgrave lost in the Republican primary for mayor of Evansville.
Canterbury beat incumbent Musgrave with nearly 53% of the vote, cementing Musgrave's tenure on the commission would end this year.
After the loss, Musgrave told the Courier & Press while she wasn't thinking about running for office immediately after, but she wouldn't say never.
"I’m still commissioner," Musgrave said, "so I’m still stuck in the political world until the end of the year."
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Cheryl Musgrave resigns from presidency of Vanderburgh commissioners
