Primary of special importance . . .
The sometimes heated Republican primary election campaign comes to an end Tuesday when Hamilton County voters go to the polls. Voter turnout is not expected to be large, but results of the primary may have substantial consequences for the next four years, especially in county government.
Great interest, both here and statewide, is focused on the GOP ballot where an often nasty, hard-fought race for the nomination for U.S. Senate will be decided. Mike Braun, Luke Messer and Todd Rokita are seeking the right to face incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in this fall’s general election. The race is considered a toss-up.
Fifth District Congresswoman Susan Brooks gets a free ride in the primary where she is unopposed for nomination to a third term.
County Races
At the county level, the primary is of extreme importance because Republican candidates nearly always sweep fall elections. The greatest interest appears to be in three county council races which could determine control of the county’s fiscal body.
Currently, there is a factional divide, sometimes more personal than philosophical, with very conservative fiscal members Rick McKinney, Fred Glynn, Brad Beaver and Paul Ayres (who is retiring) on one side. (McKinney and Beaver’s seats are not up for election this year.) On the other side, current members Steve Schwartz, Jeff Hern and Amy Massalmany are somewhat more progressive on fiscal matters.
In District 1 (parts of Clay and Delaware Townships) incumbent Glynn faces a determined effort by Sue Maki. In District 3 (Noblesville, Jackson and White River Townships) a contentious contest features incumbent Steve Schwartz challenged by Mark Hall, and in District 4 (Adams, Washington and parts of Clay Townships) a four-way race features Ken Alexander, Sheldon Barnes, Christine Pauley and Rick Sharp.
These three Council races are expected to be close, as is the race for County Sheriff where four career lawmen seek the GOP nomination. Bill Clifford, Eddie Moore, Dennis Quakenbush and Mitch Russell are waging aggressive campaigns, but have kept it a generally ‘clean’ race with each touting his own considerable credentials. The outcome is considered anyone’s guess.
A three-way race shapes up for judge of Superior Court 1 with the winner to likely take retiring Judge Steve Nation’s bench. Mike Casati, Will Riley and Jeff Heinzmann are vying for the nomination. The contest is low-key compared to some of the other races.
Incumbent County Commissioner Christine Altman is being challenged by an outspoken Matt Milam. The winner will run in November seeking to join Steve Dillinger and Mark Heirbrandt on the three-member board.
Unopposed in Tuesday’s voting are Prosecutor Lee Buckingham, Superior Court 6 Judge Gail Bardach, Kathy Richardson for County Clerk; Robin Ward, incumbent Assessor; Jennifer Hayden, incumbent Recorder and John Chalfin, incumbent Coroner.
Legislative Races
In Noblesville, Wayne and portions of White River Township, four candidates are competing to capture a seat in the state House of Representatives, vacant with Rep. Kathy Richardson’s decision to not run again.
Brad Beaver, Garen Bragg, Charles Goodrich and Greg O’Connor are running to represent the district. Another race for a House nomination is set in Clay Township where incumbent Jerry Torr is challenged by Tom Linkmeyer. And, for State Senate, incumbent Mike Delph is opposed by Corrie Meyer in a district that includes most of Clay Township and portions of Marion County.
Township Ballot
At the township level, there is only one contest for trustee*, it pits Robyn Cook of Atlanta against incumbent Chris Miller for Jackson Township trustee. There are also a scattering of township board races in Noblesville, Clay, Delaware, Washington and Fall Creek Townships.
Democrats
Voters in the Democratic primary will have precious few choices to make. They will help choose a candidate for Congress along with voters in the entire Fifth District. Five candidates are seeking the nomination: Dion Douglas, Sean Dugdale, Eshel Faraggi, Kyle Moore and Dee Thornton. The winner will challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Susan Brooks in November.
For county office the only contest is between Jeremy Hawk and Gregg Werling in County Council District 3. In one township (Delaware) there is competition with four candidates running for three spots on the ballot, and in a county-wide race there is competition for 27 delegate positions to the Democrats’ state convention, but, these are party positions and not public offices.
At this time Democrats have no candidates for most county offices, leaving Republicans unopposed for two Superior Court judgeships, sheriff, prosecutor, county clerk, Assessor, Recorder, Commissioner and Council in District 2. The party has no candidates for township trustee in eight of the nine townships.
The party central committee does have the right to fill vacancies on their ticket, but as yet have not announced names of any candidates-to-be.
*Correction: There is an additional township trustee race. Current Washington Township Trustee Danielle Carey Tolan is running against Marla Ailor.