The Gist
County Council Member, DeKalb County · District 2

Chris (The Ref) Refner

Candidate for County Council Member, DeKalb County, District 2

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Public school teacher

A public school teacher for more than 20 years and an Army veteran who served in the regular Army, the National Guard and the Army Reserve, he grew up south of Auburn, graduated from DeKalb High School and earned his teaching degree at Ball State University.

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Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Supports funding police, fire, libraries and roads with fiscal restraint

    Refner to run for DeKalb County Council district 2

    News coverage · KPC News (The Star) · Jul 2, 2026 · kpcnews.com

    “he is a firm supporter of essential public infrastructure including law enforcement, fire service, libraries and roads, paired with fiscal restraint.”
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Environment & parks

  • Supports moving toward renewable energy with a practical middle ground

    Refner to run for DeKalb County Council district 2

    News coverage · KPC News (The Star) · Jul 2, 2026 · kpcnews.com

    “He supports moving toward renewable resources while insisting on a practical middle ground”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Pledges decisions grounded in data, not feelings or friendships

    He says he would meet with the library director, fire departments and other local leaders to learn their needs and figures before deciding.

    Refner to run for DeKalb County Council district 2

    News coverage · KPC News (The Star) · Jul 2, 2026 · kpcnews.com

    “Refner says he wants decisions grounded in data rather than feelings or friendships.”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Chris (The Ref) Refner on them.

  • Public safetyNo documented position found.
  • Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.

All sources (3)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.