Election Board strikes three GOP candidates from ballot

Reporter Publisher

On Thursday, the Hamilton County Elections Board struck three Republican candidates from the 2019 primary ballot.

The action by the board was a result of Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Campbell’s concern the candidates had not met state election code requirements to file as Republicans.

The candidates in question were Kevin Ferguson, Arcadia Town Council District 2; Brian Landress, Noblesville City Council At Large; and John Partlow, Noblesville City Council District 6.

To be eligible for a party ballot a candidate must have voted for the party in a recent primary election or received written certification by party chair, explained Greg Purvis, the Democrat representative on the board.

Purvis and board members Ray Adler (Republican) and Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams (Republican) heard testimony from each of the candidates.

Ferguson stated he voted in the 2008 General Election, but had not voted in a primary election.

Republican Chairwoman Laura Campbell confirmed that Ferguson had not sought certification from her office.

The board voted unanimously to remove Ferguson from the 2019 ballot.

Brian Landress testified he had never voted in a primary election in Indiana. Landress stated he has been an active member in the community, supported the Republican Party and volunteered at community events. “Your actions in the community speak louder than voting in a primary,” argued Landress.

Following his statement, Landress presented Campbell a written request for party certification.

Campbell rejected the request stating, “Until today I’ve never met you. You’ve had an opportunity to vote in recent primaries. I take this very seriously and I am not inclined to sign off on your request.”

The board voted unanimously to remove Landress from the ballot.

The most heated discussion during the meeting came from Partlow.

Partlow argued he voted in the 2015 primary; however, the board indicated Partlow did not check the box when voting that identifies party affiliation.

Partlow testified under oath that he voted Republican in the 2015 primary. Each of the board members agreed they had no evidence to dispute Partlow’s claim.

Campbell questioned Partlow not voting in the last two primaries. “When you look at a primary that is 75 percent unopposed, why vote?” said Partlow.

Partlow also argued he had strong family ties to the Republican Party and that he has served on the library board after being recommended by Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Dillinger. “I doubt Dillinger would recommend a Democrat,” he said.

“I find his statement of party identification credible,” stated Purvis.

Adler told Partlow, “It is a two-prong test and I don’t see that you have met either.”

Williams motioned to remove Partlow from the ballot. “We do not have evidence of party affiliation in a recent primary election or approval from the party chairwoman,” she said.

Williams and Adler voted in favor of the motion and Purvis voted nay.

At the conclusion of the meeting Adler told the Reporter that Partlow had no supporting evidence regarding his statement of party identification. “He had no witnesses or additional evidence such as letters of support to document his claim.”

Adler and Purvis, both attorneys, did inform Partlow that he could appeal the board’s decision.