By FRED SWIFT
The County Line
Hamilton County Democrats will hold a caucus of their precinct organization on June 30 for the purpose of choosing candidates for some of the numerous vacant spots on their November election ballot.
State law allows political parties until July 5 to fill their tickets where there were no candidates filed in the May primary.
Democrats have a lot of vacant spots on the local ballot. Whether there will be many Democrats on the ballot remains uncertain. County chairwoman Dayna Colbert said earlier this month that there would be some filings. But, to date the county elections office has heard only of the caucus plans.
Republicans filled their ticket in the primary. Democrats may encounter problems, as they usually do, finding candidates for major offices such as judge, prosecutor and sheriff.
Julia Keller, Carmel, did say this week that she would run as a Democrat for Clay Township Board.
Also on the political front, the county’s legal community is awaiting Governor Eric Holcomb’s appointment of a new judge for Hamilton Superior Court 6. With the retirement of Judge Gail Bardach on July 1, the governor will appoint a judge to complete the unexpired term of office which runs through December 2024.
Thirteen candidates were interviewed for the position last month. The successful applicant’s name has been a closely guarded secret, but an announcement on the appointment is expected shortly.