Ted Booker, 36, is a native of Holland, Michigan. He graduated in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in English from Grand Valley State University.

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For a decade, Ted was a reporter and covered local government, business and education news. Among other publications, he worked for the Watertown Daily Times in northern New York for five years and the South Bend Tribune for three years. 
 

At The Tribune, he reported on how old, lead-tainted homes in South Bend have been a persistent cause of lead poisoning in children. His articles about the problem earned him a first place award for Best Public Service in the 2017 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors newspaper competition. 

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Ted also reported on issues with property assessments in St. Joseph County. His reporting raised questions about the method used to value rental homes and revealed steps that could be taken to improve the accuracy of assessments. 

 

Ted transitioned from The Tribune in 2019 to the Elkhart County Assessor's Office in Goshen, where he works in the as a deputy assessor in the appeals department. He has handled hundreds of residential appeals and is certified as an Indiana Level III Assessor-Appraiser.

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During his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and playing tennis and pickleball. He has competed in pickleball tournaments in South Bend and Bremen.

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