Bartholomew County Democrats have a candidate for the County Council-At Large.

The original candidate, Gabrielle Cheek, vacated her candidacy after May’s primary election. Nancy Ann Brown, Chairwoman of the Bartholomew Count Democratic Party, announced Thursday that the party’s central committee voted unanimously to place Diane Hawes on the ballot. Hawes filed her papers with the County Voter Registration office Thursday morning.

Brown says that Hawes is “very qualified” for the position, noting Hawes’ “extensive training, experience and education in Personnel and Organizational Leadership.” Hawes has an Associate of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision from Purdue University College of Technology. She adds that she is also working towards completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Women and Gender Studies from the University of Louisville by 2018. Hawes is also a 2015 graduate of Leadership Bartholomew County, as well as a 2015 graduate of Collaboration through Coalition Leadership.

Hawes currently works as an Administrative Assistant to the Director of Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. She says that her previous work includes stints with Columbus Regional Hospital and the Dispatch Center for the Franklin Police Department, among others.

The new candidate is crediting her family for their support in her bid for office. Hawes credits Nancy Ann Brown, who also happens to be her mother, for her encouragement, as well as other attributes. Hawes also credited Brown with breathing life into the Bartholomew County Democratic Party. She also thanked her husband, former Columbus City Councilman Craig Hawes, whom she says also played a big part in encouraging her to run.

Hawes says that, due to the fact that she only recently decided to run for office, she does not yet have a website. However, she stressed that one will be up soon and that she hopes area voters will visit it to learn more about her.