Election Night Statements

The following statements were submitted to the Hamilton County Reporter on Tuesday evening after the conclusion of the primary election.

Dr. Juanita Albright
Republican candidate for Indiana Senate District 31

Thank you all for your support today in the Republican primary.

I believe the best way to move our community forward is by bringing people together around common goals and practical solutions. Throughout this campaign, I have listened to healthcare workers, small business owners, parents, students, seniors, and families from all walks of life who want the same thing: strong schools, safe communities, affordable healthcare, and responsible leadership.

As a healthcare professional, I have learned that real leadership is about listening and finding solutions that work for people. That is exactly the kind of leadership I will bring to the State Senate.

I want to thank the great candidates who ran in the Republican primary. I hope to earn each one of their votes, as well as their supporters’ votes, in the fall.

This campaign is focused on the future of Senate District 31. I am proud of the momentum we are building, and together, I know we can win this seat in the fall and deliver the steady, common-sense leadership our district deserves.

* * *

U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz
Republican candidate for U.S. House District 5

I am honored that my fellow Republicans have placed their trust in me for another term. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our Republic, we are reminded of the courage and sacrifice that secured the ideals of liberty and opportunity that so many Americans fought and died for. We cannot let them down by allowing the radical left to prevail. I look forward to a fall campaign focused on real policies that benefit all Americans – and a clear contrast between my professional and legislative record and that of my opponent.

* * *

J.D. Ford
Democratic candidate for U.S. House District 5

State Sen. J.D. Ford won the Democratic nomination for Indiana’s 5th Congressional District on Tuesday night, powered by historic early voting turnout and his campaign focused on lowering costs, protecting healthcare and putting Hoosiers first.

Ford’s victory signals growing momentum across the district as voters rallied behind a message centered on affordability, accountability and making sure their voices are heard.

“I am truly grateful to every Hoosier who showed up, made their voice heard and believed in what we are building together,” Ford said. “This campaign has always been about people. It has been about listening, showing up and fighting for families who feel like Washington has stopped working for them. Tonight is proof that when people come together, they can take their power back.”

A two-term state senator, Ford has built his campaign around lowering everyday costs, protecting access to health care, defending public schools and strengthening economic opportunity for working families across the district.

“Hoosiers are being asked to pay more for everything while getting less from Washington,” Ford said. “That is not an accident. That is a choice. And in November, we are going to choose differently.”

The general election will now turn to a direct contest with incumbent U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, in a race expected to draw national attention.

Spartz supported policies that took healthcare away from 230,000 Hoosiers, backed tariffs that contributed to economic instability and supported actions abroad that increase risks for Americans while driving up costs at home.

“This race is about whether the government works for people who are working to get ahead or people who are already ahead and want more,” Ford said. “Right now, Washington has made its choice. In November, Hoosiers will make theirs.”

Ford also emphasized his record as the only Democratic candidate in the race who has flipped a Republican-held district, underscoring both the competitiveness of the 5th District and his ability to win in communities that feel overlooked.

“I have earned the trust of voters who were told their voices did not matter and proved that this district is not locked in for anyone,” Ford said. “We built a coalition strong enough to flip a Republican district once, and now we are building one even stronger to do it again.”

Ford said that experience will be central to the path forward in November, as the campaign expands its reach and continues to build a broad coalition in the district.

“People said this district could not be flipped,” Ford said. “We proved them wrong once, and we are going to do it again.”

J.D. Ford is a two-term state senator, Democratic Senate Caucus Whip, and previously served as the Caucus Chair. Ford, known for his people-first approach, flipped a long-held Republican district by listening to the needs of Hoosiers. Ford is the first and only openly LGBTQ+ member of the Indiana General Assembly and now he’s ready to take his service to Hoosiers all the way to Washington D.C. For more information, visit electjdford.com.

* * *

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita

Tonight, Hoosier Republican primary voters sent a clear message: they are tired of the status quo and want bold leadership at the Statehouse. Hoosier voters chose to stand with President Trump.

President Trump has demonstrated that kind of leadership, and many of the candidates he supported – and that I supported – won tonight. Voters want leaders who will aggressively fight for Hoosier families, defend our values, and deliver real results.

* * *

U.S. Senator Jim Banks

Everyone in Indiana politics should have learned an important lesson today: President Trump is the single most popular Republican among Hoosier voters. Indiana is a conservative state, and we deserve conservatives in our State Senate who have a pulse on Republican voters.

It was an honor to be entrusted by President Trump with the important political work of electing conservative Republicans who support his agenda, and I’m proud to say that we delivered. I look forward to fighting for an America First agenda in Indiana alongside the many newly elected conservative State Senators.

Now, we can turn our attention to the hard work of the general election, and putting as many Republicans in office across the state as possible.

* * *

Karen Tallian
Chair, Indiana Democratic Party

Thank you to the thousands of Hoosiers who worked long hours to make this election happen. Thanks to all the candidates who stepped up to run for office and put their name on the ballot. Democracy is not a spectator sport, and hundreds of thousands of Hoosiers made their voices heard in this primary. Indiana has been known for low voter turnout, but today Hoosiers showed that’s starting to change.

Months ago, Donald Trump and his D.C. cronies came into our state and demanded Indiana gerrymander mid-decade to drown out the voices of Indianapolis and Northwest Indiana. Today, we’re proud André Carson and Frank Mrvan were overwhelmingly renominated to continue serving their communities.

The number of Democratic congressional candidates on the ballot today shows the unpopularity of Indiana’s seven congressional Republicans. Congratulations to all of our congressional nominees on their primary victories. State Senator J.D. Ford will put Indiana’s 5th District into the national spotlight. We will unseat Victoria Spartz.

Trump and Mike Braun spent millions of dollars targeting their fellow Republicans. This fight reflects a party in shambles. They spent millions of dollars on ads attacking each other while Hoosiers struggle with $5/gallon gas.

We invite all Hoosiers left behind by Republican policies to join us in November. It’s time for a change.