Niles Charter Township Treasurer Jim Ringler announced Wednesday a write-in bid Nov. 6 after being upset in the Aug. 7 Republican primary by John Engel, 675-640.

“The primary race in August was a very close race with a very small percentage of our registered voters voting,” Ringler said. “Over the past 16 years, I have been a treasurer for all the residents and not just any one party.

“I’ll be the first to tell you I’m an underdog,” Ringler said. “I know it’s an uphill battle. Engel did win, and I congratulate him.”

Engel works for the University of Notre Dame. He moved to the community five years ago from South Bend and saw board service as a way to get involved.

Engel brings 25 years of accounting in the nonprofit sector and experience in information technology.

“As a write-in candidate, I am asking the voters from all parties to consider writing my name in on the ballot for treasurer,” Ringler said. “This election is about choice in who is the most qualified and who has the experience to move the township forward. Local government is, and should be, about delivering quality services to our residents that they expect at an affordable price. My record shows that I have lowered millage rates whenever possible and that I have always been an advocate for restrained spending. By electing me as treasurer, I will continue to represent that objective driving future township decisions.”

Also in the primary, Ringler’s predecessor as treasurer, James Stover, won the GOP nomination over one-term Supervisor Jim Kidwell, a city police officer, 872-544.

Ringler said the flexibility of his real estate job allows him to meet the time commitment the treasurer’s job entails.