Two candidates are in the running to be the next Bartholomew County coroner, after long-time coroner Larry Fisher decided not to seek re-election.

Both candidates are running for office for the first time.

Republican, Clayton Nolting, 31, is chief deputy coroner and a patrolman with the Columbus Police Department. He has a bachelors degree in organizational leadership and supervision and a masters in forensic science focused in etymology. He is also a certified medical death investigator. He is married to Brelyn.

Democrat, Paula Rothrock, 57, is a case manager for Columbus Regional Hospital emergency department and served on the Columbus Police Department for 11 years. She has a bachelors degree in nursing science and is working toward her masters degree. She is married to Paul, a retired Columbus firefighter/paramedic and they have four children.

We asked the candidates about issues in the coroner’s race. Their full answers are below:

• What qualities would you bring to the role of County Coroner?

Nolting said:

Rothrock said:

• The job of county coroner seems like a particularly thankless task, especially for elected officials. Bad hours, low pay. Having to deal with bodies and grieving families. Why are you interested in being county coroner?

Rothrock said:

Nolting said:

• The state only requires that you be a resident of the county for a year and an elector to be a coroner. Beyond those minimum constitutional requirements, what qualifies you to be a county coroner?

Nolting said:

Rothrock said:

• Are there any ways you can see streamlining the way the county coroner’s office operates or saving costs?

Nolting said:

Rothrock said: