Darke County Republican Chairman
Cindy Pike resigns as chair, will continue serving the party
By Bob Robinson 

GREENVILLE – “I’m not riding off into the sunset,” said Cindy Pike, Darke County Republican Party Chairman. “I love my job (Darke County Clerk of Courts) and plan to run again, and I plan to continue volunteering.” 

She just no longer wants to do it as the chairman of the party. 

“I’ve really loved working with all the people in Darke County, and believe that together we have done a good job. I just think it’s time for someone else to take the reins and develop it further.” 

Pike has turned in her resignation as chairman effective Oct. 1. She has held the position since June 2005, more than eight years. 

To Darke County: “Thank you! It’s been a great ride. It has been an honor serving Darke County, and I will help the new chairman in any way I can.” 

Pike said she is retiring for personal reasons. 

“My husband is retired. I’d like to have more time available for us to do things together.” 

Pike noted the chairman’s job is extremely time consuming, especially during a presidential election year. In 2012, she didn’t bother to keep track of the time. 

“From the time the headquarters opens until it closes, I could have been there 24-7 if I hadn’t had a fulltime job. Running a campaign, even in a small county like ours, can be a full time effort. 

“I couldn’t have done it without my volunteers,” she added. “All the great volunteers I’ve had over the years.” 

Pike said she feels the challenges and successes of the party during her leadership went hand-in-hand. 

“We were given the challenges. The goals were given to us for the state and national campaigns and we met them.” 

Pike was adamant that these were not her successes… 

“Not mine!” she said. “They are the successes of all those who came out and helped to get it done.” 

She chose this year, an off-year election, specifically to give the new chair time to get acclimated. Her term would have been up in May of 2014, after the Primary. The chair is elected every two years, during a gubernatorial election year and a presidential race year. 

“Not a good time for someone new,” she said. “This way someone will have time to get to know what’s going on, have an idea what needs to be done.” 

Pike’s favorite memory was getting great seats to see President Bush. 

“I got to shake his hand,” she said. “Awesome! 

“He thanked me for coming… all I could think of was thank YOU for what you are doing for our country.” 

She repeated she was not going away. She still plans to be active in the party, to volunteer her services. And she plans to run again for Darke County Clerk of Courts. 

“I’m much too young to retire,” she said. 

Published courtesy of The Early Bird