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PORTAGE — Portage City Councilman John Cannon, R-4th, has stepped forward hoping to fill the mayoral post vacated last week with the federal public corruption convictions of fellow Republican James Snyder.

Cannon announced Thursday he has submitted the necessary paperwork to run as a candidate in the party's caucus to be held at 10 a.m. March 2 at the Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St.

"I have been preparing for the possibility of stepping up since the indictment was issued in November 2016," Cannon said referring to Snyder.

Cannon said he joined Democrat Councilman Mark Oprisko in January 2017 to call on Snyder to step away from his duties.

Cannon knew of no other Republicans who have yet submitted the paperwork to run in the caucus.

Republican precinct officials from Portage will come together to elect someone from their party to complete Snyder's term through the end of the year, Porter County Republican Party Chairman Mike Simpson has said.

Eligible candidates must be registered Republicans and registered voters who reside within the city of Portage, he said.