The Elkhart County Republican Party wants you to know your candidates. Throughout the run toward the May 2026 Primary Election, we will be posting Q&As with your candidates to help introduce (and re-introduce) them to you – the Republican voter! All Republican candidates in the race are contacted. We continue this series with candidates for Middlebury Township Trustee.

Candidate Bio: Sopheap Long – Sopheap “Sophie” Long is a Purdue graduate, local business leader/owner, Founder and Board Member of the Middlebury Lions Club, 2018 Michiana Forty Under 40 Recipient, and a public servant with experience connected to the DOD, DOE, and DOJ. I’m running for Middlebury Township Trustee to serve with integrity, compassion, transparency, and accountability.

Why did you decide to seek election/re-election to this office? I’m running because I love Middlebury and believe the Trustee’s office should be accessible, responsible, and focused on serving people well.

What do you feel are the main issues facing this office heading into your next potential term? The key issues are responsible use of taxpayer dollars, helping residents in need with dignity, and supporting strong partnerships in public safety and community services.

What are some elements of this job that the public may not know about? The Trustee’s role includes emergency assistance, financial oversight, and close coordination with local agencies and service providers.

Why have you decided to seek election as a Republican candidate and why are those values important to you? I value fiscal responsibility, accountability, public safety, and strong local leadership. Those principles fit this office and my approach to service.

How can voters get in touch with you and stay updated on your campaign? Voters can stay updated through campaign events, social media, meet and greets, and direct outreach by phone or email.   

 

Candidate Bio: Kristina Mueller  – For the past 25 years, I have devoted my time, as the Deputy Trustee of Middlebury Township, to serving others, learning  all of the intricate ins and outs of the financial requirements necessary in responsibly managing Township budgets,  handling Township Assistance, and making our Fire and EMS Department the highest of priorities. 

My husband, Brian and I have lived in Middlebury, Indiana for 36 years. We have three sons that were raised with a  strong sense of faith, family, and community. From the time that they were small, our boys have seen the commitment  that both my husband and I have made to the organizations that we serve within the Middlebury community. The  Middlebury Fire/EMS Department, Middlebury Homemakers Association, InMiddlebury Magazine, Middlebury  Optimist Club, Ducks Unlimited, Middlebury Community Schools, and a Middlebury Precinct Committeeman are just a  few of the area that we have served. 

Why did you decide to seek election/re-election to this office? After serving 25 years as Deputy Trustee of Middlebury Township, the decision to run for the Trustee position was not  taken lightly. Continuing to serve the Middlebury Community is something that I am driven to do. As Trustee, with the  experience, knowledge and determinization I have, the transition to the new term would be seamless. 

What do you feel are the main issues facing this office heading into your next potential term? Township Government at the local level in order to provide services and make decisions that affect our  community.  

  • Recruiting and retaining qualified Fire/EMS personnel to an ever-dissolving pool of candidates.
  • To provide more resources to help those in need break the cycle of financial hardship.

What are some elements of this job that the public may not know about? The responsibilities of a Township Trustee go far beyond taking care of cemeteries, weed control and fence line disputes.  

  • The Township Trustee ensures that providing a highly trained, fully equipped emergency service is a top priority to  protect the entire community that they serve. 
  • The Township Trustee ensures that providing financial assistance to residence in emergency circumstances is done in  complete confidentiality with dignity and respect, all the while providing the resources to help break the cycle of financial dependency. Township assistance is more than just helping pay rent or utilities. Food / Non-Food assistance,  prescriptions, and burial / cremation and funeral expenses are just the top of the list. Sometimes it is just providing a  listening ear, to a resident, who just needs someone to understand their situation and to let them know that they are not  alone. 
  • The Township Trustee must live within the community they serve. The decisions that are made in the Trustee office not  only affect the whole community, but also the Trustee and their family as well. 

Why have you decided to seek election as a Republican candidate and why are those values important to you? As a lifelong conservative Republican, I believe that local Government is meant to be for the people, to work alongside,  helping when needed, providing resources in a manner that is non-intrusive and allows individuals to take control and  responsibility of their future. The residence of the Middlebury Community deserve a candidate that provides a  conservative responsible approach to managing daily Township operations without compromising the quality and/ or  safety of the people that they serve.

How can voters get in touch with you and stay updated on your campaign? I look forward to talking to you about your concerns within the Middlebury Township community. Please feel free to  contact me through any of the following options.