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Septer announces candidacy for Huntington County clerk

Republican Shelley Septer has announced her candidacy for the office of Huntington County clerk.

Septer, 51, is the vice president of governmental accounts at Eagle Accounts Group. Before that, she started her career in the Huntington County clerk’s office, where she worked for five years and served as deputy clerk. From there, she moved on to the Allen County prosecutor’s office, serving there for nine years and supervising three divisions. She then returned to Huntington County to work in the prosecutor’s office, where she performed administrative duties for two years before transitioning to her current job, which she has held for 11 years.

Between the experience she’s accrued in her present position, which sees her working with county governments on a regular basis, and her first-hand experience as a county government employee, Septer believes she’s prepared to serve as county clerk.

“This is the perfect time,” she says of running for office. “I feel like I have done everything in my career that I could possibly do to gain the knowledge to bring back in (to the clerk’s office) and that’s where I’m at.”

If Septer wins the Republican nomination for county clerk in the May 8 primary election, then triumphs in the general election on Nov. 6, see notes that her main goal for the clerk’s office is to continue the high level of service established by current clerk Kittie Keiffer.

“She has a great standard of public service,” observes Septer. “That is something that’s so important, because the clerk’s office touches just about every person in the county. I mean, at some point in time, someone has registered to vote, or if they need to change their voting place, or if they pay support or have a filing of any type.”

Septer also believes that steadfastly adhering to the state and federal standards that govern the clerk’s office is a recipe for success.

“If you really strive to keep those in check, I think you are going to be an amazing clerk,” she says.

The office of clerk has long held a special place in Septer’s heart, as both her mother, Anne Malone, and grandfather, Willard Hildebrand, served in that role for Huntington County.

“I had an amazing mentor in my grandfather and my mother,” shares Septer. “They were very serious about integrity and being a good public servant. I took that knowledge and just carried it with me and it’s made for a very successful career in county government.”

Septer resides at 631 E. Tipton St. and has been a lifelong Huntington resident. She has two children, Allie and Jacob. Two other children, Zachery and Kaitlyn, are deceased.

In honor of Zachery’s memory, Septer started Backpacks of Hope, a nonprofit group that fills backpacks with supplies for homeless individuals in Huntington and Fort Wayne. She has run the group since 2011.

Septer enjoys serving the community in that role and she’s excited by the chance to also serve as county clerk.

“I love people,” she says. “I love helping. I’m compassionate to people with problems. So, that’s why I want to bring my knowledge back into the clerk’s office.”