Leah Rea is a dedicated public servant currently serving as the Chief Deputy Recorder for Greene County, a position she has held since January 2019. With over two decades of roots in the community, she is running for election on a platform of experience, modernization, and institutional knowledge.
Professional Background & Skills
Before her transition to public service, Leah spent several years in the banking industry as a Senior Teller and Relationship Banker. Her responsibilities in that sector included:
- Training new employees and managing accounts for thousands of clients.
- Ensuring strict compliance with complex federal laws and regulations.
- Developing a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and confidentiality.
Key Achievements in the Recorder’s Office
Since joining the Greene County Recorder’s office, Leah has successfully navigated several major transitions and crises:
- She managed the office's transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping services running for several weeks.
- She helped oversee large-scale scanning projects to restore and preserve historical records dating back 100 years.
- Leah navigated multiple software transitions and state legislative updates while ensuring the public maintained uninterrupted access to records.
Community Roots
Originally from the Seattle area, Leah has called Greene County home for 23 years. Her commitment to the area is reflected in both her professional and personal life:
- She raised two daughters who both graduated from Bloomfield High School and attended the University of Southern Indiana.
- Both of her children continue to reside in Greene County.
- She served the community for several years as the Head Coach for the Bloomfield Junior High Dance Team.
Here are the questions we asked the candidate and her answers:
Many of our county’s oldest records are still on paper or microfilms, which are vulnerable to fire or decay. Is there any timeline or budget for 100% digital preservation if you were to take office?
Our oldest records are important, but digitizing everything is not something that can happen overnight. Out of 200 years of records, we are roughly halfway digital, and it has taken a long time to get thus far in that process. In the last two terms under the current recorder, we were able to scan a little over 60 years’ worth of documents and get them to where they are searchable online. If elected, I would focus on protecting the most at risk and most used records first and work toward digitization in manageable phases.
That plan would consider available technology, staffing, and budget constraints. I do believe we can continue making steady progress by prioritizing preservation of our permanent historical documents by saving funds where it is possible to do those large-scale scans. My goal would be to ensure our records are protected, accessible, and preserved for future generations, while being transparent and accountable on how we get there.
This is highly technical role that is often used as a political steppingstone. What in your professional background, not your political platform, qualifies you to manage legal land titles?
My professional background has been rooted in detail-oriented, compliance-driven work where precision and accountability matter every day. In my current role as Chief Deputy Recorder, I work extensively with official records, statutory requirements, deadlines, and public facing documentation.
That experience has required me to understand how records are created, maintained, protected, and accessed, and the consequences of errors when they occur. I am running for office because I take that responsibility seriously, not because I see this office as a political steppingstone for me but rather as an advancement in my career.
What is the single biggest project that currently needs to be taken care of in the recorder’s office and how do you intend to deal with it if you are elected?
The biggest need in the Recorder’s Office is to make sure our irreplaceable historic records are protected, accurate and easy for the public to access. If elected, I would start by taking a close look at what digital we have, what still needs to be made digital, what needs attention first, and the day-to-day operations.
From there, I would work with staff, collaborate with other professionals in the field, and do ongoing training, and education to make steady improvements that make sense, without disrupting day to day services.
Many Greene County residents feel that transparency regarding official operations has been lacking. If elected, what specific steps will you take to improve public access to information and keep citizens informed about the inner workings of the records department?
People deserve to understand how their local offices work. If elected, I will focus on clear communication, making sure information about services, fees, and processes is easy to find and easy to understand. I already believe in keeping people informed, which is why I maintain an active Facebook page and make sure information is kept up to date.
I’d continue that approach in office by keeping the county website updated and adding a helpful FAQ section so residents can quickly find answers to common questions. I will also make sure questions are answered in a timely and respectful way, and that updates about the office are shared openly, while still following the law and protecting sensitive information. Transparency starts with being accessible and willing to explain what we do and why we do it.
Four years from now, if you are running for re-election, what is the one project you want to point to as your legacy in the Recorder’s Office?
Four years from now, if re-elected, I would want to point to an office that is stronger and well protected from when I took office. I would want to say we put a real plan into place to preserve records, keep up with modern technology, and began a large-scale effort to scan and digitize the last 100 years of records in phases aligning with available funding, staffing, and technology, we can make meaningful progress without disrupting daily operations.
My goal would be to leave the Recorder’s Office organized, more accessible, and better prepared for the future- so the people of Greene County know their records are safe and well cared for. If, after four years, the office is stronger, clearer in its processes, and better prepared for the next generation, I would consider that a successful legacy.
Rea is running as a Republican for Greene County Recorder.
Official 2026 Election Calendar
- Primary Election Day: Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
- General Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Critical Deadlines for Voters
- Primary Registration Deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026.
- General Registration Deadline: Monday, October 5, 2026.
If you or someone else you know are running for a Greene County political position and would like to do an interview, reach out to us at lintonnews2025@gmail.com.
