During a recent traffic stop, Bernadette Manuel, the Starke County Clerk, allegedly asked the deputy who pulled her over, “do you know who I am?” — and later followed up with an email questioning why she was cited at all, particularly during an election year.
In the email, sent to Starke County Sheriff Wayne James, Manuel wrote:
“I would like clarification on when it became standard practice to issue tickets to elected officials within their home counties, particularly during an election year.”
The circumstances surrounding the traffic stop itself have not been fully detailed publicly. However, a video clip circulating online and reviewed by Indy Politics appears to show portions of the interaction between Manuel and the responding officer. The clip has not been independently authenticated in full, and it is unclear whether it represents the complete encounter.
Additional discussion of the incident has surfaced online, including a Reddit post titled “Starke County’s finest,” where users debated the interaction and whether it reflected an expectation of preferential treatment.
It is also unclear whether Manuel intends to formally contest the citation.
Public officials, like any other motorists, may challenge traffic tickets through local courts, and it is not uncommon for individuals to seek clarification or dispute citations they believe were issued in error.
However, the language used in Manuel’s email has prompted discussion, particularly her reference to enforcement practices involving elected officials and the timing of the citation during an election year.
Manuel currently serves as Starke County Clerk, an elected position responsible for maintaining court records and overseeing election administration at the county level.
According to publicly available election information, Manuel is a candidate in the 2026 election cycle and is seeking the office of Starke County Auditor. Her current position as clerk is not on the ballot this year.
