Longtime Plymouth resident and current Plymouth Common Council Member Duane Culp announced today that he is seeking the Republican nomination for Mayor of Plymouth in the May 4, 2027 municipal primary.
A lifelong Plymouth resident, Culp has dedicated more than three decades to public service through law enforcement, public safety, volunteer service and local government.
“I believe that I am the person Plymouth needs to move us forward,” Culp said. “We have a beautiful community that we should share. I believe Plymouth has tremendous potential, and I want to help make sure we are prepared for the opportunities ahead.”
Culp’s commitment to public service began in 1988 when he graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and joined the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. During more than 30 years in law enforcement, he advanced to Detective Lieutenant and served as third in command before retiring in 2019.
He also served 18 years with the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department and has been an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police since 1988. Since 1988, Culp has also served as Master of Ceremonies for the Marshall County Blueberry Festival. Following his retirement from law enforcement, he returned to public service and currently provides security for the Marshall County Courthouse.
Culp has served on the Plymouth Common Council since first being elected in 2011. During his tenure, he has supported community projects including the Harrison Street sidewalk, which improved pedestrian safety and neighborhood connectivity, and the Packard Woods Playground renovation, providing a lasting recreational asset for Plymouth families.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving Plymouth in many different ways throughout my life,” Culp said. “I’ve worn a badge, served as a volunteer firefighter, worked alongside countless community volunteers and served on the Common Council. Every one of those experiences has reinforced my belief that Plymouth is worth serving and worth investing in.”
A Vision for Plymouth’s Future
Culp’s campaign will focus on moving Plymouth forward while protecting the qualities that make the community special.
A central priority will be bringing more and better-paying jobs to Plymouth.
“We need to be more aggressive in attracting employers that offer quality, good-paying jobs,” Culp said. “We need to support businesses that are already here and want to grow, while making Plymouth competitive for new investment. Our young people should have opportunities to build their careers here rather than feeling they have to leave to find them.”
Culp also plans to make mid-priced housing a major priority, emphasizing the connection between employment and housing opportunities.
“Good jobs and good housing go hand in hand,” Culp said. “If we want to attract new employers and families, we need quality housing that working families, young professionals and people who want to make Plymouth their home can actually afford.”
Public safety will also be a fundamental priority. With more than three decades of law enforcement experience and 18 years as a volunteer firefighter, Culp said he understands the importance of keeping residents safe and supporting the people responsible for protecting the community.
“People should feel safe in their neighborhoods, our children should be safe in our parks and our businesses should know that their employees and customers are safe,” Culp said. “Our police officers, firefighters and first responders deserve the support, resources and cooperation they need to do their jobs effectively. The safety of our residents will always be one of my highest priorities.”
Culp also emphasized responsible government and fiscal stewardship, saying the city must carefully plan for its future while protecting taxpayer resources.
“Every dollar the city spends belongs to the taxpayers,” Culp said. “We need thoughtful planning, accountability and open communication. We need to make investments that provide long-term value and make sure Plymouth is prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Plymouth Is Home
For Culp, the campaign is deeply personal. His wife, Jacque, was also born and raised in Plymouth. Together, they raised their daughters, Katelynn and Brittany, in the community. Their daughter Katelynn is now married to a police officer, and they are raising three children.
“Plymouth isn’t just where I live. Plymouth is home,” Culp said. “Jacque and I were both born and raised here. We raised our daughters here, and now our family is growing into another generation.”
“When I talk about Plymouth’s future, I’m talking about the community where my family has lived, worked, raised children and built our lives. I want Plymouth to be a place where our children and grandchildren have every opportunity to build a good life, where they are safe, where they can find good jobs and where they can afford to live.”
Culp said his vision is not about changing Plymouth into something it is not, but about building on the community’s existing strengths.
“We don’t need to become something we’re not,” Culp said. “We need to become an even stronger version of the community we already love.”
Culp is seeking the Republican nomination for Mayor of Plymouth in the May 4, 2027 municipal primary.
“I believe in Plymouth. I believe in our people. I believe in our future,” Culp said. “Together, we can make Plymouth safer, stronger and more prosperous. We have a beautiful community, and I believe it’s time we shared what makes Plymouth special with the rest of the world.”
About Duane Culp
Duane Culp is a lifelong Plymouth resident who has dedicated more than three decades to public service. A graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Culp retired from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department in 2019 as a Detective Lieutenant after more than 30 years of service. He served 18 years with the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department and has served on the Plymouth Common Council since 2011. Culp and his wife, Jacque, have two daughters and three grandchildren.