Hamilton County Democrats celebrate historic election night, leading in 22 of 41 contested races

Submitted by Hamilton County Democratic Party

The Hamilton County Democratic Party (HamCo Dems) is celebrating a historic Election Night, with Democratic candidates leading in 22 of 41 contested races, according to the Hamilton County Election Office’s unofficial results.

While Democrats made significant gains across Indiana and the nation, Hamilton County experienced a political shift of its own, with Democrats leading in more than half of the races they contested.

“That’s seismic,” said HamCo Dems Chair Josh Lowry during the party’s Election Night Watch Party at Sun King in Fishers. “When we moved into leadership, we set a goal of 10 wins this year. Every volunteer in Hamilton County worked to make this happen.”

The foundation for today’s Hamilton County Democratic Party was built over years of organizing, including the leadership of former chairs Dayna Colbert and Jocelyn Vare. Their work helped establish the infrastructure, relationships, and community engagement that made this election possible.

“We’ve planned. We’ve built. And now, we’ve flipped the switch on Hamilton County,” Party Vice Chair Meredith Fox said.

Democrats made significant gains in county government, leading in three of four contested County Council races and three major countywide offices: Sheriff-elect Charles Hollowell, Clerk-elect Alexandra Wilson, and Superior Court Judge-elect Emily Angel Shaw.

That momentum extended into township government, with Democratic victories in Clay, Delaware, and Fall Creek township board races, along with the Fall Creek Township Trustee’s office.

Hamilton County helps break GOP supermajority in legislature

Hamilton County also played a pivotal role in reshaping the Indiana Statehouse.

Democratic candidates Lindsay Gramlich (Carmel), Racheal Bleicher (Westfield), Stephanie Jo Yocum (Fishers), and Lauren Cole (Fishers) emerged as key figures in the election’s legislative shift. Cole’s defeat of longtime incumbent and Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston in House District 37 was among the night’s most consequential results.

“Lindsay, Racheal, Stephanie, and Lauren are some of the best candidates I have ever seen. They all worked so hard,” Lowry said. “Just as a resident of Hamilton County, I am very grateful that I will have these four in the Statehouse.”

Meanwhile, State Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn continued to build on her support in House District 32, winning approximately 61 percent of the vote. Together, these races contributed to Democrats breaking the Republican supermajority in the Indiana House.

A congressional victory years in the making

Another defining moment came in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, where Democrat J.D. Ford’s apparent victory marked a significant shift in a district long represented by Republicans.

Ford’s performance in Hamilton County helped build the coalition of voters across the district that propelled his campaign.

“J.D.’s win is a testament to an elected official using their office for good,” Fox said.

For Hamilton County Democrats, the result represents another milestone in the county’s changing political landscape and an opportunity for residents to have new representation in Washington.

Multiple victories

Hamilton County also saw many additional key victories. That includes Kerry Forestal winning Senate District 31 and Kristina Moorhead winning Senate District 29. Plus, Democrats won three of the four County Council seats: Christopher Daniel in District 1, Nathan Bullock in District 2, and Jason Frank in District 4.

Democrats also won a plethora of township seats. That includes a clean sweep of the Delaware Township Board members (Bethann Buddenbaum, Jennifer Dean Chaudry, and Patrick Schooley), the Fall Creek Township Board members (Alex Hunt, Mulalo Rikhotso, and Joe Weingarten), and the Clay Township Board members (Gregory Daniels, Michael Needham, and Matthew Phelps). Plus, Stephanie Hunt became the Fall Creek Township Trustee and Jenna Stewart became the first Democrat elected to the Noblesville Township Board.

Democrats also elected their first Carmel Clay school board member, Michele Kirby.

The work continues

The results of the 2026 election reflect years of organizing, volunteer engagement, candidate recruitment, and community investment.

But for Hamilton County Democrats, Election Night is not the finish line.

The party remains committed to working with newly elected officials, community partners, and residents across the political spectrum to strengthen local government and ensure Hamilton County continues to serve all who call it home. The work that brought Hamilton County to this moment will continue long after Election Night.