Garrison has Dem opponent; most Reps go unopposed

By FRED SWIFT

The County Line

The surprise filing of a candidate for Hamilton County prosecutor was one of a handful of last-minute Democratic candidates reported to the county elections office Tuesday. The deadline for filing was noon Tuesday.

Jessica D. Paxson, currently a deputy in the office of Prosecutor Lee Buckingham, was chosen to oppose Republican candidate Greg Garrison, who upset Buckingham in the May primary. Paxson is a Noblesville resident with several years’ experience as a deputy prosecutor.

The candidate has been voting in the Republican primary in recent years but was endorsed by the Democratic leadership. The party has the option of filling their ticket when there was no candidate filed in their party’s primary.

There are few other county-level Democratic candidates, so Republicans for judge, sheriff, county clerk, assessor, recorder, coroner, county commissioner and all but one county council member will be re-elected in November without opposition, barring any independent or write-in candidacies. Democrat Nathan Bullock will square off against Republican incumbent Amy Massillamany for County Council District 2.

At the state legislative level, Democrats also announced candidates against Republicans Jerry Torr, Carmel, who represents most of Clay Township, and James Buck, Kokomo, whose district includes portions of Hamilton County.

Josh Lowry, an attorney with offices in Carmel, will oppose Buck in Senate District 21, and Matt McNally, whose website indicates he lives in Westfield, will oppose Torr in House District 39.

The only other candidates fielded by Democrats in the last day for filing were Pam Williams for Adams Township Board and Julia Keller for Clay Township Board.

Republicans are guaranteed eight of nine township trustee positions. In Fall Creek Township, Republican incumbent Doug Allman will face Democratic challenger Nicole Tredup.