By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
It is said that all politics is local, and it also seems that all politics is at play all the time. It is less than a year until the next election, namely the primary of 2022, and we can assume that maneuvering is already underway.
The local primary is especially important because Hamilton County is heavily Republican, and winners in the GOP primary are usually favored in the November general election.
Despite this, only about 19 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in the primary of 2018.
Next May, voters will choose candidates for U.S. Congress, state legislature, a majority of county offices and all township offices. The primary election is May 6, but candidate filing begins in January.
Most incumbents are expected to seek re-election. Indeed, Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R- Ind.-05) has already said she will run for a second term.
There are some exceptions. County Assessor Robin Ward is retiring, and longtime Clay Township Trustee Doug Callahan will retire.
The county’s state legislative delegation will likely be running again. The Superior Court 2 and the new Superior Court 7 judgeships are at stake as are offices of county sheriff, prosecutor, clerk of courts, recorder, assessor, coroner, one county commissioner, and four county council positions.
The county’s nine township trustees and 27 township board seats are also up for election.
While not obvious to the general public, preliminary politicking is already underway for some of the 56 offices that will appear on the various ballots throughout the county.
It seems it’s never too early to make plans when playing in the political game.