A longtime Bartholomew County Commissioner is facing competition for the seat he currently occupies. His opponent is not only well-known in local politics, but she is also a member of his own party.

Susan Thayer Fye announced Thursday her intentions to file for County

Commissioner, District 1, on the Republican ballot in next month. Fye, who works in real estate, also worked as an auditor and contract manager.

Fye is well-known in Columbus political circles. Over the past three years, she has served on the city’s Board of Public Works and Safety, the Columbus Redevelopment Commission, and also was President of Columbus Downtown, Inc. prior to it’s dissolution in 2013.

Fye is a graduate of Hauser, as well as Indiana University. She says that she also received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Indiana University.

Fye currently serves as Secretary of the Human Services Properties Board and is public relations officer for the Bartholomew County Landlord Association. She also serves as a volunteer with the Yellow Trail Museum in Hope, as well as the Columbus Arts Council. Fye also began serving on the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Merit Board this year.

Fye is running against fellow Republican, businessman and incumbent Larry Kleinhenz. The 57-year-old Kleinhenz is seeking his seventh four-year term to the county’s executive body. He announced his intention to run for re-election earlier this month.

County Councilman Jorge Morales has also announced his intentions to run for the seat.

Fye, Kleinhenz and Morales, along with any other candidates who have yet to declare their candidacy, will face-off in the Republican Primary in May. The winner will face the Democratic candidate, if there is one, in November of 2016.